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MAIN In some parts of India, Holi is also considered a New Year's celebration! This festival finally arrives on the full moon of the Hindu lunar month of Phagan. When is Holi on the Western calendar? This year, Holi will start on Thursday, March 8, 2012 with celebrations continuing until Friday, March 9. The holiday is observed all over India and celebrates the harvest of the winter crops as it welcomes the beginning of Spring. Holi is called Dol Jatra or Dol Purnima in Bengal, Rangapanchami n Maharashtra, Kamavilas, Kaman Pandugai or Kaman-dahanam in South India. In Northern India, the Raas-Lila dances celebrate love in the Spring and honor Radha and Krishna. In Southern India, Kamdev, the Love God, and his wife Rati are the focus of the stories and songs. No matter which part of India the festivals are in or which gods are involved, they are feasts of color and usually involve sprinkling colored waters and gulal, brightly colored powders, on the gods and on the other revellers. Balloons filled with colored waters are splashed on friends and anyone else who happens to be near.
Many areas celebrate with huge bonfires that have different meanings depending on the local legends that are the basis for the holiday. Along with traditional Holi recipes, sweets are a special part of Holi. If you can imagine a holiday that combines Thanksgiving, Carnival and Valentine's Day with the colors of Easter — but where people get colored instead of eggs — you have some idea of why this holiday is so eagerly awaited. Holi Hai!
Legends of Holi - Rita Putatunda's explanation of this holiday throughout India will introduce you to the celebrations and the legends behind them... The Holi Festival - The graphics on this site include modern drawings and photos as well as ancient Jain and Rajasthani paintings and other early depictions of the celebration of Holi. They also have a nice explanation of the traditions and sharing colors involved in the spring festival... Indolink Kidz-Korner - Holi - A story told by grandfather courtesy of the Association of Grandparents of Indian Immigrants (AGII) gives children a good understanding of the holiday and how it is celebrated by relatives in India... Holi in city of Ahmedabad - Some pictures of the festival here and Holi in Chotta Udaipur with a nice description of the local celebrations... Holi Gift Rituals - A nice overview of traditional Holi gifts including exchange of sweets, gifts for married daughters and sons-in-law. Taj Online - Holi - More legends and history surrounding the ancient beginnings of this festival. This site also has a shop to send gifts, Holi Hampers or Holi Thalis to your friends, family and special friends to celebrate the sharing and the colors of the Spring... Holi e-Cards - A good selection of cards for grown ups and children. They also don't forget that Holi celebrates love and have cards to share your feelings as well as colors... Holi in Nepal with e-Cards - Lots of colorful pictures of people in the streets of Nepal enjoying the festivities, a good background on the reasons for the festival and some very pretty e-cards to send... Interactive Holi - If you have some time to play and explore, visit this Colors of India site and enjoy the games, send them a picture and they will Holi you or you can Holi them...
If you have any holiday recipes that you'd like to share, also see -> Diwali | Janmashtami | Makar Sankranti
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Holi and the following day, Dhuleti, are known as the Indian Festival of Color. Playing Holi or sharing colors is a highlight of this holiday.
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