HOLI: The Festival of Colours

Have you ever thought that there could be a reason why we celebrate festivals?

Holi, the festival of colours, is celebrated in different corners of India on full moon day in the month of Phalgun, which is the month of February/March as per the Gregorian calendar. "Holi" marks the onset of Spring. Throwing of colours to each other is the signature of this festival. Therefore, it is often referred to as the Festival of Colours.

Mythological, Holi is associated with the legend of the "demon King Hiranyakashyap and his son Prahlad & sister Holika." Mythology apart, this festival has a great scientific significance behind it. Holi is a science in itself. Let's trace the science behind the festival of Holi.

Holi is played in the Spring Season, which is a period b/w end of winter and advent of summer. In older times or even now also, those people not taking a bath regularly during winter often develop some skin eruptions leading to even severe infections. Also unwanted particle accumulations on the human body happen. This needs rinsing out. The science of using natural colours like turmeric is to cleanse the body and remove unwanted accumulation on the skin.

Holika Dahan, on the other hand, is performed to burn all that is dry and dirty to pave the way for new life in the spring.

Following the tradition when people perform Parikarma(go around the bonfire/pyre), the heat coming from the bonfire kills the bacteria in the body & cleanses it.

Traditionally, Holi colours were derived from natural sources and are either particulate powders or liquid splashes. In ancient times, when people started playing Holi, the colours used by them were made from plants like Neem, Haldi, Bilva, Palash etc.

The playful pouring and throwing of colour powders made from these natural sources had a healing effect on the human body. It has the effect of strengthening the ions in the body and adds health and beauty to it.

Some ideas for natural colours: -

Green - Mehandi powfer, Leaves of Gulmohur tree, Spinach leaves.

Yellow - Turmeric, Amaltas, Marrigold flowers, Sunflower.

Orange - Saffron, Barberry

Red - Rose, dried hibiscus flowers, peel & seeds of pomegranate.

Violet - of course, the beetroot.

Blue - Indian berries, blue hibiscus.

Black - some species of grapes and Amla.

These days, the market flooded with synthetic colours, they usually comprise of toxic components, such as:

Green contain copper sulphate which cause eye allergy & temporary blindness.

Red contain mercury sulphide, cause of skin cancer, mental retardation, paralysis & impaired vision.

Purple contain chromium iodide leading to bronchial asthma.

Blue contain Prussian blue, which can cause contract dermatitis.

Silver contain aluminium bromide, which is carcinogenic.

Blach contain lead oxide leading to health problems lije rental failure and learning disabilities.

Synthetic colours can cause serious skin disease's & clogging of hair cuticles resulting in severe hair damage.

It's safer & healthier to deliberately opt for herbal colours even if it is costly. If demand increases, the cost would naturally come down.

Play Safe Holi & Stay Healthy.