Colour returns to spring festival - 23rd March 2022

Streets in India and Nepal awash with colour saw the Hindu festival of Holi herald the coming of spring. Relaxing of pandemic restrictions has enabled its customary rituals to return after a two year hiatus.

Holi, which signifies the coming of spring and with it the flowering of romance and healing of friendships, encourages people to take time to clear their debts and settle conflicts, as well as being a spiritual plea for healthy crops.

Revellers hurl coloured gulal, a powder commonly used in Hindu ceremonies, at each other. Its different hues symbolise different aspects of spring, from red for love and fertility, to green for spring, nature and fresh opportunities. Blue signifies strength and Hindu god Krishna and yellow the bright turmeric colour of healing and happiness.

Originally created from homespun vegetable dyes, today's gulal powders are almost entirely mass-produced, yet still retain their traditional characteristic of dissolving in water. Children delight in combining the gulal with water to create paint-filled balloons which they release onto the crowds, and everyone ends up drenched in water with bright, coloured streaks across their face and body.

Holi has flourished into a global phenomenon due to the Hindu diaspora welcoming others to share in the festivities. Many more now share in the enjoyment and appreciate its cultural symbolism. Family gatherings are a central aspect of Holi and, following the interruption presented by the pandemic, people are embracing this year's events with added relish.