Ganga Aarti on the Ganga Ghat in Varanasi

Ganga Aarti on the Ganga Ghat in Varanasi

Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath

Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath

Kashi Vishwanath Temple of Varanasi

Kashi Vishwanath Temple of Varanasi

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Varanasi in the grip of colours as Holi brings in sprays of Gulal and Abeer

One of the most popular(and scary for those who dont like colours)festivals celebrated in Varanasi or rather the entire Northern India is HOLI.Holi is essentially a Hindu festival which is celebrated in a rather unique fashion - spraying powdered colours and shooting water canons at anyone and everyone who comes in sight. A rare and localised form of holi is celebrated in Brindavan near Mathura, which is called the 'Lathmaar Holi'. The Lathmaar Holi, is probably one of the craziest versions of Holi in which the womenfolk of the region beat their men with thick sticks of bamboo,called 'Lathi',and hence the name 'Lathmaar' holi.Holi or no holi, the occasion sure provides the women of the region a chance to get even with their men.Talk of women emancipation - the 'lathmaar holi' is a shining example,i would say.

A day before Holi, a bon fire is lit in every neighbourhood , which is called 'holika dahan'. This is symbolic of the annihilation of evil and has its roots in the mythological story of Prahlada and demoness Holika.

The next morning, people don their old clothes and take to the streets greeting each other by spraying powders(Gulaal and Abeer) of different colours and/or spraying coloured water from 'pichkari'- cyclindrical plastic vessels that have a spraying nozzle for the spray effect. The women and children shoot canons of balloons filled with colured water at the men on the streets from the roof tops and balconies.No one is spared. The more ardent fans will fill a small water tank with coloured water and then they would pick up their prey and throw him in to the tank, ensuring that he undergoes a complete change of colors.All around, one can see human faces painted with the most incredible hues of colours and everyone seems happy about it.

Popular tradition in Varanasi during Holi involves drinking of 'Thandai' or 'Bhang' which is a intoxicating drink made from the poppy seeds. So you would find, groups of men, swaying as they walk, singing the 'songs of holi' and completely drenched in colours.And the naughtier among the group, use special type of colours which would stay on for days even after repeated washing.Though harmful for the skin, there is no way you could dictate the choice of your colour to the carzy fans of holi in Varanasi.

The riot of colors goes on till late in the afternoon.Then it's time for the rather painful process of trying to wash away the colors which refuse to be washed off despite several sessions of scrubbing with the best of soaps and shampoos.Frustrated, many swear that they would not participate in Holi next year.But it's more like the new year resolutions which are made to be broken :).

In the evening, people put on fresh, new clothes and visit their relatives and sweets and pleasantries are exchanged.For the kids, it's a time to show off as they talk about their perfect hits they scored shooting the water filled balloons.While the day does come to an end, the fervour remains in the air for some time. The colours that still remain on the faces of people even after days have gone by are pleasant reminders of the good times everyone had.

In Varanasi, Holi, in a rather indirect way serves to erase the differences of caste,creed, social status and skin colour. The faces of all and sundry that get painted with different colours seem to hide away the differences of caste and status and everyone gets painted in the beautiful colors of Holi.

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