Saturday, 3 March 2007

India: Holi Festival

Image Copyright Steve McCurry

Holi, also called the Festival of Colors, is an annual and popular Hindu spring festival, and takes place over two days in the later part of February or early March. This year, as per the Hindu calendar, it falls on March 3.

The festival’s main highlight is when people throw colored powder and water at each other, at passerbys, strangers, tourists, etc. This period, during which the weather changes, is prone to cause viral fever and cold, and it is said that this playful throwing of the colored powders has a medicinal significance, as these are made of medicinal herbs prescribed by Ayurvedic doctors. It is very popular all over India, especially in Rajasthan.

To the Indian readers of TTP, Holi hai!

Call Me KIJU

Here are impromptu street portraits of Kiju on Crosby Street in Soho, NYC. Kiju is an alternative rock performer.