Hi,
As you know (if you have already ready read Sam or Leigh's blog) we played Holi at Forest Castle yesterday for the holiday Holi! It's kind of weird that you say, you played Holi, because you don't say I played Diwali or I played Christmas. It's a little strange. Anyway it was a lot of fun, we threw water and powder at each other for about and hour and a half! I got powder in my mouth so I had colorful teeth, yuck...
Here are a few pics!!!
Hunting down Janelda!
Linda and Sam!
Hee Hee!
When we were done Linda had a very pretty shirt!
Nora, the cutey pie!!!!!
Nora and I!
Janelda and Zac!
The powder!
Patrick's camera must have been clicking very fast, because we only stood there for one pic and he got about 10!!!
Our group photo after the water and powder! Then the sprinklers came on!
Nora!
Maggie pouring powder on Grandma Helen!
Maggie!
Pria!
Maggie and Zac!
Leigh and Benjamin!
Linda and Patrick's Mom!
Here is some history to read about Holi fi you'd like!
Don't worry about reading it though, it may be a bit boring!
Holi (
Hindi:
होली), is a religious
spring festival celebrated by
Hindus. Holi is also known as
festival of Colours. It is primarily observed in
India,
Bangladesh,
Pakistan,
Nepal,
[1] and countries with large
Indic diaspora populations following
Hinduism, such as
Suriname,
Malaysia,
Guyana,
South Africa,
Trinidad,
United Kingdom,
United States,
Mauritius, and
Fiji. It is also known as
Doḷajāta (
Oriya:
ଦୋଳଯାତ) in
Orissa and
Dol Jatra (
Bengali:
দোলযাত্রা) or
Basantotsav ("spring festival") (
Bengali:
বসন্তোৎসব) in
West Bengal. The most celebrated Holi is in the
Braj region, in locations connected to the Lord
Krishna:
Mathura,
Vrindavan,
Nandagaon, and
Barsana. These places have become tourist destinations during the festive season of Holi.
[2] Large parts of South India, however, do not celebrate Holi with the same fervour as in other parts of the country.
The main day, Holi, also known as
Dhuli in Sanskrit, also
Dhulheti,
Dhulandi or
Dhulendi, is celebrated by people throwing scented powder and perfume at each other. Bonfires are lit on the eve of the festival, also known as Holika Dahan (burning of
Holika) or
Chhoti Holi (little Holi). After doing holika dahan prayers are said and praise is offered. The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young
Prahlad accomplished when Demoness Holika, sister of
Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of god
Vishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion. Holika Dahan is referred to as
Kama Dahanam in
South India.
Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month
Phalguna (February/March), (Phalgun
Purnima), which usually falls in the later part of February or March. In 2009, Holi (
Dhulandi) was on March 11 and Holika Dahan was on March 10. In 2010, Holi was on March 1 and Holika Dahan was on February 28. In 2011, Holi was on March 20 and Holika Dahan was on March 19.
In most areas, Holi lasts about two days. One of Holi’s biggest customs is the loosening strictness of social structures, which normally include age, sex, status, and caste. Holi closes the wide gaps between social classes and brings Hindus together. Together, the rich and poor, women and men, enjoy each other’s presence on this joyous day. Additionally, Holi lowers the strictness of social norms. No one expects polite behavior; as a result, the atmosphere is filled with excitement and joy.
Every year, thousands of Hindus participate in the festival Holi. The festival has many purposes. First and foremost, it celebrates the beginning of the new season, spring. It also has a religious purpose, commemorating many events that are present in Hindu mythology. Although it is the least religious holiday, it is probably one of the most exhilarating ones in existence. During this event, participants hold a bonfire, throw colored powder at each other, and celebrate wildly.
Originally, it was a festival that commemorated good harvests and the fertile land. In addition to celebrating the coming of spring, Holi has even greater purposes. Hindus believe it is a time of enjoying spring's abundant colors and saying farewell to winter. Furthermore, Holi celebrates many religious myths and legends.
Rangapanchami occurs a few days later on a Panchami (fifth day of the full moon), marking the end of festivities involving colours
