Holi – festival of colours, a spring celebration of the triumph of good over evil

(Pronounced hoh-lee (sounds like holy or wholly))

To remember the meaning of the Hindu term Holi, use the following mnemonic:

A holy (Holi) event was held to mark the end of war – the triumph of good over evil. It was very colourful too!

A holy (Holi) event was held to mark the end of war – the triumph of good over evil.

Holi is the spring festival that is celebrated by Hindus worldwide.

It is largely a fun festival, in which participants throw coloured water and powders at one another.

Holi is largely a fun festival, in which participants throw coloured water and powder at one another.

On this one day, the usual rankings of caste (position in Hindu society), gender, status and age are allowed to be reversed.

The celebrations are sometimes marked by irreverent language and behaviour.

However, towards the end of the celebrations – when participants bathe, put on clean white clothes and visits friends, teachers, and relatives – the ordered pattern of society returns.