HAPPY HOLI

Holi or Phagwah (Bhojpuri) is an annual Hindu spring festival. It takes place over two days around late March or early April. As per the Hindu calendar, it falls on the last day on the month of Phalgun (फाल्गुन), which is a Purnima (or Pooranmashi) Full Moon on a Purnima (or Pooranmashi) Full Moon, and on the first day of Chaitra (चैत्र). It is a celebration also of the Hindu New Year, as Chaitra is the first month of the Hindu Year. It is also called the festival of color. On the first day, a bonfire is lit at night to signify burning Holika. On the second day, known as Dhulandi, people go around until afternoon throwing colors at each other. A special drink called 'thandai' or bhang (Cannabis sativa) is also consumed sometimes, which actually contains small amounts of marijuana. People invite each other to their houses for feasts and celebrations later in evenings. Rangapanchami occurs a few days later on a Panchami (fifth day of the full moon), marking the end of festivities involving colors.