Holiday
Color, cannabis and beating women: India celebrates Holi
Devotees cheer during Holi celebrations at Kalupur Swaminarayan Temple. photo
© Ajit Solanki/AP/dpa
When millions of Hindus celebrate their spring festival, it becomes very colorful – and mystical. Six facts about the event.
Forget everyday life and throw colored powder and water balloons at others: This is how you celebrate India, the Hindu spring festival Holi – in the middle of the street, in temples or even in party locations. Schools and offices will remain closed across the country on the important holiday.
The moist and colorful festival has now found many young fans in Berlin, New York and Sydney who dance to electronic beats at major events. Six facts about the event:
Good Wins
Holi is much more than a color battle. It is a celebration of beginnings and the triumph of good over evil – meanings derived from Hindu myths. A particularly well-known one is that of the demon Holika, from whom the name Holi comes. She wanted to kill her nephew, a follower of the Hindu god Vishnu – and died in the process, while he survived because of his religious devotion. To commemorate his victory, many burn an effigy of Holika on a pyre before the festival of Holi. This is also a symbol of freedom from negative thoughts such as hatred or jealousy and that one should forgive other people.
God in love was blue
Why is Holi celebrated with so much color? This also has a religious explanation. According to the story, God Krishna was afraid that his appearance would get in the way of his relationship with his beloved Radha. Because his skin was blue and she was fair-skinned. His mother suggested him to paint Radha’s face too – which he did. In commemoration of this, Holi is also a festival of love. The colors have different meanings: red stands for love and fertility, yellow for health and happiness and green for new beginnings and life.
Harmful powder
The German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) is itself concerned with Holi: The color powder contains fine dust that settles on the skin and is inhaled. Additionally, UBA research with reference to European Holi festivals suggested that powders can be pro-inflammatory. The Indian clinic chain Max Healthcare also advises people with certain skin diseases against the color games, and people should not have any cosmetic treatment at least a week before the celebrations.
Cannabis milkshake
Getting high is also completely normal in India on Holi. Many drink the drink Bhang, which has been used for many centuries and is made from milk, nuts, spices, herbs and cannabis – and is likely to feel more relaxed and euphoric as a result. The subsequent hangover is said to be similar to an alcohol hangover. The drink is again associated with a Hindu god – this time Shiva.
Limitless
Holi is considered a festival on which the otherwise rigid norms of separation based on religion, caste, gender, age and status in India are briefly softened. Everyone puts paint on each other’s faces – whether family, friends, neighbors or even strangers. Unfortunately, this can also lead to sexual harassment – especially if there is high bhang consumption. And then victims sometimes hear the traditional saying: “Don’t be like that, it’s Holi” (Bura na mano holi hai).
Women beat men
As is often the case in the giant country of India – it is the most populous country in the world with 1.4 billion inhabitants – various customs are celebrated during Holi. Some dance in the neighborhood, others pray in temples, many eat sweet dumplings with their loved ones. Around the city of Mathura, people celebrate with a very special tradition: women beat men with sticks and they protect themselves with shields. You are once again reenacting a Hindu myth. God Krishna is said to have teased his lover Radha and her friends – and they are said to have chased him away with blows.