India would definitely classify at the top of my "Countries I would like to visit someday’ list. My fascination for India probably goes back to 2008- the first time I watched "Slumdog Millionaire’. I must admit, that every time I listen to "Jai Ho’, I cannot help but "transform’ myself into a Pussycat Doll. Moreover, a few years ago, I heard about this particular festival —The Holi Festival- which is an ancient Hindu tradition, known as the festival of colours or the festival of love. It is celebrated every year, the day after the full moon in March. This year it actually took place, yesterday, Friday 6th March.
The idea behind it is that it celebrates good over evil as well as the arrival of the beloved season of spring. The festival, which also aims to forgive and repair relationships, takes place all over India, including Mumbai, Delhi and Bengal. It commences with a Holika bonfire on the night before where people gather to sing and dance. If you are lucky enough to be part of the celebration, expect people hurling brightly coloured powders and water at one another and the best thing about it is that it is totally fair since everyone is regarded as equal regardless of gender, caste, class or age. The atmosphere is made even more ecstatic by the fact that groups of people play drums and other musical instruments along the streets, parks and outside temples.
This vibrant festival originated from the rich mythology of Hindu. Legend says that Holika was a female demon and the sister of a demon king who considered himself as more superior than all gods. The king disdained his son, Prahalad, who faithfully worshipped the god Vishnu. It got to the point where the king was urged to murder his son but he was not successful at this as his son survived being thrown over a cliff. Thus, the king asked his sister, who was magically immune to fire, to commit the deed. She sat in the middle of a fire with the boy in her lap. Since she was using her gift for an evil deed, she ended up burnt to ashes unlike the boy who was, once again, saved by Vishnu.
All in all, I wish that, someday, instead of simply writing about it and being envious of all the people who post pictures of the festival on Instagram, I, myself, would be part of this exciting festival. I would not mind visiting the breath-taking Taj Mahal, riding an elephant and trying out some exotic Indian food either while I am there!
