Festival of Colors

The main day, Holi, also known as Dhuli Vandana in Sanskrit,also Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is celebrated by people throwing coloured powder and coloured water at each other. Bonfires are lit the day before, also known as Holika Dahan (burning of Holika) or Chhoti Holi (little Holi). The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad accomplished when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of god Vishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion.

I would be around 11years old & till that time Holi was a festival of horror for me, as i hardly use to move out from home in the fear of colors................In true sense, colors are very much part of our life, it unites people from every creed, color, religion & culture..........It is such a lovely festival to be enjoyed...........Colors represent different moods of your life..........Playing with colors brings togetherness, unity, love, affection, friendship.................Children particularly enjoy the festival as they throw water filled balloons at passersby...and if anybody stares..they have ready answer, 'Bura na mano Holi hai..' and evoke a smile on the irritated face. Besides, they have their water missiles, called pichkaris to drench the person from far and escape further drenching. And, it is not just children, but the young and the old alike who take delight in this joyous festival of colours. Seniors too, move in their tolis. Their enthusiasm is at times greater than that of their children as they forget the bars of age and follow their hearts. To youth, holi gives a chance to explore the heights of their enthusiasm as they climb the human pyramids to break the pot of buttermilk and to express their love to their beloved by applying colour.

Last year's holi was very funny: Me, Anshuman & Shalu. We went to shalu's friend Mona's place, where there were around 6-7girls working with different software company lived together. I am a very shy person when it comes to dealing with girls & to a certain extent Anshuman is very smart in this manner. He is pretty smart in dealing with girls. Anshu & Shalu got quickly settled with all those girls around in the house & i was feeling very un-comfortable. All the girls painted each other & than both both of us also, initially we played with dry colors but later couple of water bouquets made us fully drenched in color of holi..........Now as every body were through with colors, it was time for dance...........I quickly got aside as i am very bad dancer atleast i can never dance infront of so many girls...........Anshu saw a good chance for making a video, he pulled me in between the girls & started shooting the video....I was standing in between the fully drenched girls & feeling so shy.............Each of the girl tried their best to make me dance.............but i was standing hard like a statue........hhehehehee..........i was smiling & girls were pulling as far as they can to make a single move from me..........Quickly a girl come & took camera from Anshu, to make me comfortable for dancing........still i am standing like a statue.....................After making couple of efforts they got tired............We were finished after a while but when we watched the recap of that video, everyone was laughing like hahahahahahahhaah & i was embraced so much to watch that video..........
I would like to request you all..........Play HOliiiiiiiiiiiiiii & enjoy the colors of life with out any fear................
Bura Na Mano Holi Hai