Google launches its doodle on Holi 2010. Pink, yellow, blue, and green colors in 5 steel bowls symbolize the festival of colours in style. The image published here is taken from Google Doodle for Holi.
Traditional chemical colours, pichkaris, coloured water, etc, have got down on the list of Holi priorities this time. Holi 2010 has become festival of tomatoes, flowers, and in some places – the festival of milk – in Hyderabad. Going away from traditional celebrations, Hyderabad people have been celebrating Holi in very funky yet eco-friendly manner. A club in Hyderabad organized Holi with tomatoes (La Tomatina) in which hundreds of children and their parents were participated.
Deccan Chronicle Published:
Chuck squishy tomatoes and pelt people with flowers this Holi, but ditch coloured water and chemicals — this is how Hyderabadis will enjoy the festival the natural way. It’s goodbye to the old tradition of aiming pichkaris loaded with harmful chemicals. Instead residents look to turn Holi into an unusual celebration.
Herbal colours are yesterday’s Holi with plans afoot this year to douse friends with kesari milk and pamper themselves in the process. Sharmila Jain, who has arranged for a Holi with flowers, says, “Playing with colours is so common. We wanted to do something out of the ordinary.”
Sharmila, who has roped in relatives to help segregate flowers according to the colour, adds, “This way we won’t have to clean up later.”
Many have turned conscientious like Shashi Nahata, director of Shishu, a children’s club. Keeping in mind the troubles of farmers due to poor tomato sales, Shashi has a Spanish style La Tomatina on hand.
“We decided to play Holi with tomatoes instead of gulal this time. Not only were they dirt cheap but everyone had a blast squishing around in tomato pulp.”
The best part about this organic celebration, she adds, was that even those allergic to colour and prone to asthma could freely indulge themselves.
For Sunny Khandelwal and his family this Holi is an opportunity to pamper themselves. “We don’t like artificial colours as much, hence we have decided to play holi with kumkum, haldi and kesari milk. This way we cut down on the harmful effects to our skin and still have fun.”
Then there are those who like splashing around, but without colours — artificial or natural. Commerce student Rahul says, “We love Holi but this time we’ve decided to chuck the colours and instead use snow spray and plain water. After all it is the fun that matters not the colours.”
Holi, the festival of colours, is celebrated throughout the country with utmost fervor. Without the religious and communal differences, every sect of people celebrates the festival in a grand scale. Holi 2010 date is February 28 in some places and March 1st in other regions. Hindupad wishes all the visitors, people of India and all Hindus a Happy Holi.
Holi is celebrated as Kamuni Punnami in Andhra Pradesh, Kaman Pandigai in Tamil Nadu, Ranga Panchami in Maharashtra and some Karnataka regions. Dolyatra or Doljatra is the major ritual celebrated in Bengal and Orissa. It is also celebrated as Phagwa.
Holi, the festival of colours, is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm throughout India. In some places, some special pujas are performed during Holi festival. Devotees light the lamps in the night and worship Holika at anytime between afternoon and evening. There is not fault if you perform Holika Puja after taking meals. Before Holi puja, a demon called Dundha is pleased with chanting the puja sankalpam. Wood pieces and dried cow dung balls are kept at a place and set fire. This sacred bonfire is called Holikadahan in North India and Kamadahanam in South Indian states.
Slokam to recite during Holi Puja:
“Vanditasi surendrena brahmana shankarena cha
Athasthwam pahino devi bhoote bhootipradaa bhava”
Pradakshinam or circumambulation around the bonfire is done while chating the mantra.
Lakshmi Puja and Indra pooja are other sacred rituals performed on Holi festival or Falgun Purnima day. Falgun Purnima is also known as Mahalakshmi Jayanthi. Lord Krishna Puja is also observed during Holi especially in North Indian states like Orissa, Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Mahdya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Gujarat.
Lakshmi Puja is also observed on Falgun Purnima which is popularly celebrated as Holi or Dhuleti Holi. It is believed that on Phalguna Poornima day, Goddess Lakshmi was born as the day is also known as Lakshmi Jayanti for many communities in India. In 2010, Lakshmi Puja time during Falgun Purnima is from 6 pm to 10 pm on February 28. In 2010, Falgun Purnima begins on February 28 at 1.46 am and ends at 10.06 pm.
Falgun purnima is also known for Indra Puja or Shachindra Puja. On this day, Lord Indra and his consort Shachi Devi is also worshipped. Usually, Manmatha and Rati are worshipped on this day due to their sacrifice.
