Monday, February 9, 2015

Holi - India

According to the Huffington Post Religion, an American online news aggregation and blog site, Holi (also known as Dol Jatra and Basantotsav) is the Hindu festival of colors.  It is celebrated at the "end of the winter season, on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna."  In 2015, the festival will be celebrated on March 6th by Hindus all over the world.  Holi celebrations begin on the eve of the festival with bonfires and prayers.  On the day of Holi, people throw colored powder and liquids at each other. 


Holi Festival

http://www.festivalofcolorsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/mainphoto1.jpg

Holi celebrations are somewhat rebellious in India.  The Huffington Post Religion stated colored water and powder is shot and people are dunked into muddy water.  Many people consume bhang, an intoxicating drink made from the cannabis plant.  People of all ages, genders, castes, and wealth get together to celebrate the festival.  According to the Huffington Post Religion one can get away with almost any kind of behavior on the day of Holi by saying "bura na mano holi hai," or, "don't mind, it is Holi."  However, this is also a time for family members to “get together, give gifts, eat special foods and decorate their homes.” 


Bhang

http://myheartbeets.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/bhang-sardai.jpg

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), a UK-based international public-service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House, stated that the legend of Holi began when there was a king who sent the witch called Holika to kill his son.  After several times, she finally tried to burn him in a pyre.  But, evil Holika's immunity to fire was reversed by the Gods and she perished instead.  To remember this victory, bonfires are burned on eve before the festival.  It is also a time to indulge in fun, feasting and shaking off the dark winter months. 


Holi Festival

http://www.festivalofcolorsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/mainphoto1.jpg

Families exchange sticky sweets, while traditional and special dishes are given the Holi celebration touch by putting fresh flavors and colors to give liveliness.

According to BBC, some foods associated with the Holi celebration are:


Sweet saffron rice: a sweetened rice colored with saffron to give it a caramelized golden glow.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/66590000/jpg/_66590580_p1010273.jpg


Gujiyas: pastries shaped like Corn that have a surprising sweet, jelly-like center.

http://www.ndtv.com/cooks/images/marut-sikka-gujiya_med.jpg


Kachoris: deep fried pastries hot with chutney. 

http://www.motherszone.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Matar-Kachori.jpg


Multi-colored super-rich sweets made of milk, sugar, condensed milk and sometimes chocolate are given as gifts.  

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/66592000/jpg/_66592940_p1010250.jpg

Here is a link to see what Holi is like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqsRFAJVN9c

Return next week for another exciting blog about a holiday and related recipes!

Works Cited
Hafiz, Y. The Huffington Post Religion. (2014, March 16). Holi 2014: Festival Of Colors Celebrates Spring (SONGS, PHOTOS). The Huffington Post. Retrieved February 9, 2015.

BBC Staff. BBC News: Food: Knowledge & Learning Beta. Holi: The sweet and [colorful] taste of spring. BBC. (2013, March 27). Retrieved February 9, 2015.

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