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holi

Holi, also know as - "festival of colours" or the "festival of love", is an ancient Hindu religious festival which is not only celebrated in India but has also become popular with non-Hindus in many parts of South Asia, as well as people of other communities outside Asia.


The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships, and is also celebrated as a thanksgiving for a good harvest.

The first day is known as Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi and the second as Rangwali Holi, Dhuleti, Dhulandi or Dhulivandan.

Holi celebrations start on the night before Holi with a Holika bonfire where people gather, do religious rituals in front of the bonfire, and pray that their internal evil should be destroyed as the bonfire starts. The next morning is celebrated as Rangwali Holi - a free-for-all carnival of colours, where participants play, chase and colour each other with dry powder and coloured water, with some carrying water guns and coloured water-filled balloons.

In the evening, after sobering up, people dress up and visit friends and family.
Last Updated:Apr 29, 2025, 10.40 PM IST

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