What to Know About Holi, , the Festival of Colors.
This week, millions of people around
the world are celebrating Holi,
the Hindu festival of love, color and spring.
CNN reports that during the celebration of Holi,
people take to the streets and drench each other
in colorful powders and buckets of water.
The festivities include singing,
dancing and a variety of foods.
This year, Holi falls on March 8, while communities
across India began the holiday the evening before
with bonfires as part of Holika Dahan, or Choti Holi.
CNN reports that the holiday's most well-known tradition,
the throwing of colorful powders, finds its roots in
the story of Radha and Krishna, a legendary love story.
According to British Museum
curator Sushma Jansari, the tale
originates in Hindu mythology. .
According to British Museum
curator Sushma Jansari, the tale
originates in Hindu mythology. .
The god Krishna drank milk that had
been poisoned by a demon, which
left him with unnatural blue skin.
Taking the advice of his mother, Krishna smeared colored
powder on his love, Radha's face, to overcome his
fear that his appearance was unsettling.
Taking the advice of his mother, Krishna smeared colored
powder on his love, Radha's face, to overcome his
fear that his appearance was unsettling.
According to the myth,
the colored powder is what caused
Radha to fall in love with Krishna. .
CNN reports that Holi has transcended
the boundaries of religion to be
celebrated around the world.