Holi is a festival of colors. It is mainly celebrated in western and northern India. It coincides with the harvest season. In some parts of India it is a major festival. This is also thought to be the beginning of spring season in India. In fact it is known as Vasant Utsav (Spring Festival) in some parts of India. Holi celebrates the arrival of spring by emmersing you in colors. On the day friends and family gather and put color (and water) on each other and exchange sweets. This year we were visiting Seattle during the Holi weekend and got to celebrate Holi like we used to in India. Well, not quite but close. Even the thought of getting splashed with cold water in 40°F (~4°C) temperatures sends shivers down my spine. We also didn't light the Holika (a bon-fire the night before Holi signifying burning the demoness Holika). To me the colors parts is most exciting. Here in US most things are so dull and boring that I feel colors are so badly required to lighten your spirits. Photo: Amit and Isha enjoying Holi colors. Click on the image to the left to see the Holi 2007 photo album.
More Holi Links:
Holi on Wikipedia
Holi Festival - A very colorful and informative site.