Season Of Colours: Bura Na Mano Holi Hai!!

It’s time of year yet again there is freshness and colours in the Air!! Yes! it’s a Holi time. Holi falls on the full moon of the Vedic month of Falgun (mostly in March). The festival of colours also announces the rejuvenation. Its the end of colder days and the beginning of warmer days. Exactly in this time there is sudden transition of Season; which leaves our body vulnerable. Winters i.e. Hemant Ritu is all about strength, good health & balance; Spring i.e. Vasant Ritu there is drastic rise in temperature, Humidity. Such increase in temperature is not seen in any other season during year; hence Kapha dosha accumulated in previous season starts melting, leading to many Kapha related disorders. The rising heat saps the body of its fluids, leaving it in peril and low on immunity. Amazingly, the ancient societies had their own ways of combating these adverse conditions.

According to Hindu Mythology, ‘Holika’ demon and sister of King Hiranyakashyap was asked to kill Pralhad the devotee of Lord Vishnu. However Pralhad was saved by Lord Vishnu and Holika was killed in fire.

Celebrating festival of colours not only brings happiness but rejuvenates you from within.

On the day of Holi, a part of ritual people get together and light fire. This Bonfire is made up of branches of Castor(Erand) plant, Pimple tree, Neem tree, Cow-dung cakes, Bhimseni kapoor. People take Parikrama or move around the fire. The heat of the fire helps the body to get rid of the accumulated Kapha, thus preventing diseases that could be caused by the liquefied Kapha. On inhaling fumes of this fire are anti-microbial. People indulge in heavy activities like shouting slogans and walking briskly around the fire, all of which lead to the digestion of the increased phlegm; thereby rejuvenating the body and mind. It is believed that all the bad/evil is destroyed and enemies are forgiven.

Next day of Holi is ‘Dhuleti’; where people play with colours from the morning. Nowadays people are getting aware of eco-friendly Holi. So people can opt for natural colours like Neem, Kumkum, Raktachandan, Haldi, Bel powder, Sariva, Majishtha etc. All these herbs are anti-microbial plus detoxifying. Colours have deep association with seven chakras. Each chakra has specific colour. As a result these colours have impact on your body energies. They remove negative emotions and restores positive energies and harmony. 

Any festival in India is incomplete without Sweets. In Maharashtra usually we celebrate Holi by making Puran poli (Sweet flat bread) which has main ingredients Chana dal (Split Bengal Gram), Guda (Jaggery), Ilachi (Cardamom), Jaiphal (Nutmeg), Wheat flour.

Chana Dal: 30 gm of Chana dal approximately provides 100 cal also it is rich source of vit B-complex. It is excellent source of vegetarian protein. It is antioxidant; hence reduce inflammation also it is good for skin. It has high fibre content. Also Chana Dal is Diabetic friendly. Jaggery improves appetite and digestion; it is rich source of sucrose, Minerals like Iron, Magnesium etc. Also it helps to balance out Vata and Kapha.  Ilachi and Jaiphal both have kaphaghna (Vitiated Kapha reducing properties).

We Should understand that our festivals are designed in such a way that we can remain healthy also to customize our body to accept the transition of atmospheric conditions.

So everyone please take advantage of these festivals to give you health and happiness also rejuvenate yourself soulfully …

So Bura Na Mano Holi Hai…..

Happy Holi!!!!