HOLI

It is the festival of joy, fire and colours. According to Hindu mythology, Holika, who had allied herself with demons to immolate the stake Prahlad, perished by fire while her victim came out of the pyre unscathed. The night before the festival, the Hindus light large braziers into which they throw a straw figure symbolizing Holika. The next day, in an atmosphere of general jubilation, men and women take to the streets and sprinkle themselves with coloured water and powder. Wishes are exchanged and families stay up late with a good meal.