Holi is the festival of colours and there's no doubt that it is incredibly fun. Not an Indian? No worries - here's the four-one-one:
Holi is a festival marking the start of spring, and the end of the cold winter season in India. It signifies good over evil, and has a wonderful myth (which I won't talk about now, but you can read about it here) and is a celebration involving throwing coloured powder at each other and using 'pichkaris' (or squirting-water-guns) to splash coloured water. People dress up in old clothes during this time, so that they don't ruin their new ones, and generally have an amazing time celebrating the onset of spring.
Unfortunately, Holi has moved away from its original purpose as harmful products and habits begin forming ties with the celebration.
So here's how to avoid them and have a great, environment-friendly, fun-filled Holi!
Don't use water!
Holi is notorious for the wastage of huge amounts of water. This festival is celebrated all over India with coloured powder, water balloons (that don't biodegrade and can severely injure people) as well as even eggs and mud in some regions. Injury from water balloons hurled from a height, especially at drivers of vehicles can often prove fatal. 'Pichkaris' are used to squirt coloured water at people, and being made from plastic, often don't last very long. In addition to this, gallons and gallons of water are wasted during these celebrations as they all end up on people's clothes or the ground. A form of celebration called 'dry holi' has been taking the environment-conscious section of Indian society by storm, and having celebrated the festival this way I can assure you that it is just as enjoyable. Dry Holi involves only herbal colours that are thrown at each other by hand, and don't utilise even a drop of water.
Test for Colours with Harmful Chemicals
According to fitsaurus.com, you can check the thickness of the colour either by rubbing it on your hands (not recommended as it may ruin your skin) or putting it in water. Colours that contain harmful chemicals and metals are highly insoluble in water. For better identification, check out the chemicals table below and look out for the world 'Herbal' while purchasing coloured powder.
Avoid Animals
Holi may be an enjoyable festival for most people, but animals however, do not enjoy the celebrations just as much. Injury to domesticated dogs, cows and other animals are unsettlingly common during this time due to them becoming the victims of randomly thrown water balloons and surprise attacks with dangerous colours. Dogs can lose their fur permanently in attacks and never grow it back. So this time, stay away from strays. Also be sure to protect your pet if you own one, and make sure they aren't subject to pelted balloons and water.
Use Herbal Colours
There are two types of colours on Holi - herbal and permanent. As the name suggests, permanent colours are made from harmful chemicals and are extremely difficult to remove. They stay on the body and make the skin react, making it feel itchy and uncomfortable. People often unknowingly buy permanent colours and have to face the consequences. They also have a bunch of long-term side effects. Here are a few:-
So this Holi, celebrate in a way that doesn't harm any person or animal, because after all, festivities were never meant to do any harm. And be sure to encourage eco-friendly alternatives among your friends and family.
And at the end of the day, बूरा न मानो, होली है!
Wishing you a wonderful spring!
Learn More:
http://fitsaurus.com/harmful-side-effects-holi-colours/ (The Harmful Side Effects of Holi Colours)
https://www.scoopwhoop.com/mythological-significance-of-holi/#.vi84hkntx (The Mythological Significance Behind Holi)
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