“Take out the evil from you and digest the color of peace in yourself this Holi, to spread the color of love everywhere.” ― Happy Holi 2022

Our American host families also come from many different backgrounds and cultures.  And in our some of our Indian homes, au pairs were able to celebrate the holiday of Holi.

Holi is the time which ushers the welcoming of the spring season and ends the winter blues. Historically, it holds a lot of importance. From folklores to songs, you can find a lot of mentions of this festival. Many believe that the festival marks the celebration of good over evil. Holika Dahan, held a day before Holi resonates with the fact that evil cannot hold for a long time.

Largely celebrated in the northern part of the country, the festival of colours and love falls a day after the full moon. While a pious Holika bonfire is lit a day before the actual celebration, people come together to celebrate the victory of good over evil and splash colours of happiness around each other. No matter how you wish to celebrate, the feelings are all the same. Some splash around water pichkaaris, some use balloons, some use natural gulaal and flowers.

Holi usually marks the welcoming of spring, fertility, harvest and bright colours in the world after the dullness of winter. Culturally, people also say that Holi is the day when people bid goodbye to their problems, animosities and some even say that the biggest enemies and foes turn into friends on this blessed day by applying gulaal on each other’s faces. Hence, the celebration and tradition is called ‘Holi Milan’.

(source:  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/events/happy-holi-2020-top-25-wishes-messages-and-quotes-to-send-to-your-dear-ones-on-festival-of-colors/articleshow/74477009.cms)

 

Celebrate Holi with the Kids

Missed Holi this year, you can still learn more, celebrate on a delay or get prepared for next year:

  • Do an art craft with the kids.  Some great examples here:  https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/holidays/crafty-ways-to-celebrate-holi-with-kids-pictures
  • Plant seeds or make sugar cookies. https://www.parents.com/holiday/what-is-holi-how-to-celebrate-the-indian-holiday-with-kids/
  • Practice some Indian languages.  Here is how to say, “we wish you a wonderful and colorful Holi” in 8 Indian languages: