होली or Holi :  In March, the festival of Holi is celebrated which is a winter harvest and the advent of spring. Holis or bonfires are lit in the night and people gather to worship the fire-god, who is believed to burn away all evil. People throw colored water over each other and have great fun on this occasion. This is an important festival celebrated all over north India and in several places in the South of India.

Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Maharashtra, and make sure you avoid going out in the morning of that day if don’t want any colours thrown on you.

Thanks to Kitty for prompting this post, yes I was thinking about Holi when I saw that purple dye too.  This is the briefest description I could find of the occasion, there are some very interesting stories and legends associated with it.  Click on the link to view more photos.

For a more personal and compelling account of Holi memories, from distant and cold Toronto, here is what one man had to say:

“Holi and its unforgettable memories:

I still remember my last Holi that I spent in Mumbai with all my friends, relatives, and family members.  The atmosphere literally changes after the commencement of ‘Holika Dahan,’ ie; after the bonfires are lit.  The cooling effect from the atmosphere is magically turned into a warm, soothing climate.  The next day is the wonderful day of colours.  But here, in Toronto, we can only see one colour, that is as white as the snow. The roads are filled with snow.  On the contrary, in Mumbai, soon after Holi is celebrated, the floors are covered with diverse colours.  Balloons filled with water can be seen.  Even now I remember the delightful taste of ‘puran poli’ (sweet dish of India) made by my mother on the day of Holi.  The taste still exists on my tongue.”  (If you wish to read more of this gentleman’s account of Holi, please copy and paste the link:  http://www.desiclub.com/blogs/blogview.cfm?blogid=645) 

How much do you want to go to India now?  I know I do.