Where My Girls At?
The best Holi?
North, South, Central? In India, festivals are celebrated
differently in varying areas. Each state has its own traditions, and
even within states people from different areas celebrate festivals
differently. The commonality of Holi is that everyone celebrates
with color; some areas only use the colored powder, others use
liquid color, but many use both. Hell, some places even add water,
all in good fun. We did not experience this in Pushkar, but in some
places people throw eggs and other rubbish, so beware. But the big
question was: where is the best place in India to go for Holi? So we
did what we do, and asked around. We couldn't pick a favorite, but
here is what we learned.
North India
+ Pushkar: An epic Bhang (cannabis)-filled Holi. People
dance wildly for hours to trance music and Hindi chants.
+ Mathura-Vrindavan: The birthplace of Holi so you
already know the festival is gonna be off the chain here. This is
literally the best place to photograph Holi. Make sure you protect
your camera because people go crazy throwing water and colors
here.
Central India
+Pune: A city of excitement.
South India
+Hydrabad: They say Holi is not as good in the south of
India. But we beg to differ.
This may have just been in Pushkar,
but we did not see one Indian woman in
the streets celebrating Holi. We were told
that traditionally, families and more
specifically women and children, play Holi
inside the home. All the women in the
celebrating in the streets of Pushkar were
foreigners.
Non-Indian women are more than
welcome to join in the celebration and are
even invited to do so. Keep in mind that
Holi is not just throwing colors in the air;
people put the powder on your face as you
walk by, and it is customary to let them do
so followed by the wishing of “happy Holi”.
It behooves all women to remember that by
being out in the streets they are changing
the tradition of Holi. Some men will become handsy and quickly touch uninvited
places, however that is the price of being
involved, and it is by no means excessive.
As for men, by the end of the color
day do not expect to have your shirt. Part of
the celebration involves getting it ripped off
and thrown onto the clotheslines hanging
above (this happens in Pushkar). We saw
someone get pulled off of their
motorcycle while people were attempting
to rip his shirt off his body, so be alert and
wear something you do not care too much
about. Girls do not have to worry about
getting their shirt ripped from their body
and ladies, we strongly suggest keeping
yourself well clothed during your entire
stay in India. During Holi we do still
suggest that you wear things you have
no problem ruining because the color is
extremely difficult to get out and most
likely your clothes will be better off getting
thrown away. All in all, what do we
suggest? Get out there and throw some
color around, dance with your friends and
simply relish in the fact that you are in
India, for Holi. Everyone involved is on the
same wavelength, celebrating a new season
and is covered in the same color. We as a
people have the power to be connected in
such a beautiful way.
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