The warm sun-soaked my skin,
freezing temperatures mellowed,
wildflowers blossomed,
the pomegranate tree in my backyard sprung green,
hummingbirds and butterflies cheered:
Spring is here! Spring is here! 

And so is one of my favorite festivals, Holi. A time to play with colors. A time to rejoice with family and friends.

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Celebrated in India and Nepal with great enthusiasm, the festival of colors-Holi is a harbinger of the spring season. And this year, Holi is on March 10th. Like many other Indian festivals, the day of the Holi’s celebration is based on the Lunar calendar (and not Gregorian), which means the position of the moon decides the day of celebration. Just like the day of the full moon varies each month, so does the dates for these festivals.

Holi celebration is for two days. DAY ONE people light a bonfire symbolizing the triumph of good over evil called ‘Holika Dahan.’ DAY TWO is what I’d say: a rollicking fun. People celebrate by smearing dry powder colors, called gulal, or wet colors (rang) on each other.

In the USA, we celebrate Holi on the weekend before or after the actual festival day. And Holi colors are available at the Indian stores, and when they aren’t, you can make your own. (recipe here:https://www.food.com/recipe/make-your-own-holi-colour-67903)

For Holi, my family typically hosts a potluck in our backyard, making sure people enter and exit from the back door. This minute detail is super important. Else we spend the rest of my weekend scrubbing colors off our floors and walls. When guests arrive, we greet by chants of ‘Holi hai,’ And smear gulal on each other’s face.

And, towards the end of the celebration, we all transform into a colorful cornucopia of art. Each one of us is a distinct work of art—a profound resonance to our lives. We all are one but each on a different journey and destination.

Philosophy aside, my family also attends the Holi festival hosted by Indian organizations. These celebrations held in parks offer a grand experience, with an equally rich accompaniment of delicious Indian food. Children take thrill in spewing water at each other with squirters. The firetruck soaks you in the artificial rain while you dance to the Bollywood beats. And you almost feel like you are the main character of some Bollywood blockbuster until the chants of Holi Hai get diluted by constant whispers from your kids, “Can we leave now?” That’s when you know the show is over and it’s time to head home.

Back home, my family race for showers. Yes, we literally run. After the first couple of long hot showers essential to scrub off the colors, the hot water runs out. So no one wants to be that last person. Soon after the shower sprint, we end up our afternoon with a siesta and then a cup of hot spicy chai to recharge.

This festival is a color flinging mayhem, and with some preparation, you can be worry-free when diving into the festivity—

-Rub oil/cream on your body and hair, so Holi color/gulal comes off easily.
-Wear sunglasses/eye protection to prevent colors from getting into eyes.
-Wear clothes you won’t mind disposing.
-To prevent your hair from absorbing colors in the air, cover them with a scarf. I also like to wear nail paint to protect my nails.
-And lastly, but importantly, equip yourself with towels and lots of water. You’d need it after the celebration is over to protect your belongings, including your car seats from getting messy.

The Holi festival, a photographer’s paradise, won’t flaunt the same razzle-dazzle as past years. Many organizations canceled the Holi event this year in fear of Coronavirus spread. I’ll miss the grand celebrations, but I’ll celebrate the festival in the backyard with my family with immense gratitude for the spring season- a symbol of renewal and growth .

I wish you all a healthy and safe festival of colors. Holi Hai!

Photo by Marcin Dampc from Pexels

Photo by Darpan Dodiya on Unsplash