Hindi festival
Holi — होली
hōlī
March · the festival of colours
Holi is the spring festival of colours. Friends and strangers alike chase each other with gulal (dry colours) and water, joyfully shouting "Holi hai!". The night before, bonfires (Holika Dahan) burn old grudges.
Greetings in Hindi
होली की शुभकामनाएँ
hōlī kī śubhakāmanāeṁ
"Happy Holi!"
universal
होली है!
hōlī hai!
"It's Holi!"
playful
बुरा न मानो, होली है
burā na mānō, hōlī hai
"Don't take offence, it's Holi"
after colouring someone
Customs & traditions
- ✦Holika Dahan bonfire on the eve
- ✦Throwing dry and wet colours
- ✦Singing folk songs and dancing
- ✦Eating gujiya and drinking thandai
Traditional foods
गुजिया
gujiyā
Sweet stuffed dumplings — Holi's signature
ठंडाई
ṭhaṇḍāī
Cold milk drink with nuts and spices
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