10 Ways on How to Celebrate Holi

Holi falls in the full moon day as per the Bikram Sambat Calendar. In the Hindu calendar, it falls in the month of Falgun. It falls around the heart of March in the Gregorian calendar. Holi is a most Hindu festival. Holi is famous in Nepal and India. Holi is also known as “festival of spring", the "festival of colors", or the "festival of love”.

This festival symbolizes the starting of spring season, ending of winter, the emerging of lovely environment. Holi is a joyful day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships.

1. Holi at an Old Age Home:-

What better way to celebrate the festival of colors than with a group of people who form an important, yet often ignored part of the society – the elderly? There are numerous families which have had to resort to putting their parents or other elders in old age homes because they cannot afford to take care of them due to their busy lives. These people hardly ever get the chance to celebrate a festival with family, so why not become their family and spread the cheer?

 

If you know of an old age home near you, then bring a couple of friends along and pay a surprise visit. Old age homes never refuse guests, even if you just turn up. Their sole motive is to provide the elderly with a warm, comfortable environment.

This sort of a Holi celebration doesn’t need to be over the top – you can bring a couple of dry colors along and spend time with those who live in the old age home. Engage in some good conversation, have fun, play cards, emails, play holi songs and make the festival a joyful experience for someone who lives away from their friends and family. Wish him/her ‘Happy Holi festival’.

2. Colorful workplace:-

You certainly can’t bring in the colors in so make sure your workplace colorful. Add a little colorful vibrancy to your tiny work cubicle. Get in some pop colors to your desk or get colorful props for a photo session with your friends.

3. Holika Dahan by Lighting Diyas:-

Burning of Holika marks the triumph of good over evil. On the eve of Holi, people collect broken furniture, wood etc to burn Holika. This bonfire signifies the victory of good over evil and is a tradition in the north India.
The pyre is lit after sunset with people singing and dancing around it. The Bonfire apart from wasting wood, also leads to pollution. Many trees can be saved by opting for eco-friendly means such as lighting diyas.

4. Say a big ‘No’ to social media:-

Block the social media pictures of your friends and family playing Holi and getting high on alcohol and drugs is not going to boost your self-esteem. Sure at the end of the day you are going to be miserable. No conversation by text, no social medias of any kind at all — you will be happy celebrating Holi.

5. Try to be different:-

If you are tired of the same old neighborhoods party you attend every Holi. Then this time how about packing your bags and enjoying the different ways in which Holi is celebrated all over the Nepal.

6. Pacify yourself:-

Tell yourself it is good you are not out there playing Holi but doing something constructive; think about all the dirty color and the ordeal removing it. Break the color rule and wear the fluorescent top you wanted to wear but did not have the guts, so a colorful you and your friends will add life to your workplace.

7. Holi Treats:-

Bring them in- Bring Holi treats to the office and share it with your colleagues and friends. Bring all the sweets, the cookies and the chips, party with your friends. You are sure to have a blast.

 

8. Be Safe- Avoid the Use of Balloons:-

 

Water balloons and plastics can for surely generate a risk of getting injury. This kind of balloons and plastic can be a barrier to make the festival safer. These items are made of plastic that is most dangerous for the environment. Limiting the use of plastic is the primary focus for preserving the nature.

9. Play a virtual Holi:-

In these modern times of hi-fi technology you can test the limits of what technology can do and play virtual Holi. Pick a face and then splatter color on it. Play contests. You can play contests on the internet there are lots of online contests on Holi based themes. This way you can make the best of your misfortune and turn them around.

10. Conserve water:-

The most important thing on your list is the colors and water. Now, playing with justcolors can be really fun, but the amount of damage they cause is not worth it. Opt for organic colors which are easily available in the market. Ask your guests to bring their own pichkari’sbut keep a few inexpensive ones handy, nonetheless. Set a limit on the buckets of water you are going to use; water conservation is important too. Keep a few bowls of fresh water handy in case some color gets into your guests’ eyes.

Through the play of colors takes place on the last day, a ceremonial pole called, 'chirr' is installed on the first day. Chirr is a bamboo pole fringed with strips of clothes representing good luck charms. The pole is kept in the street of Basantapur.

There is popular legend behind the installation of chirr. The story is about the mischievous nature of Krishna who just loved to pray pranks with the milkmaids or gopis. He seduced the girls and then danced with them. When they fully engrossed in him, and then he thought they were ripe for a tease. He doused them in colored water and stole all their clothes while they were bathing in the river Yamuna. Naughty Krishna then hung their clothes on a tree to bug them. Chirr symbolizes that tree.