Key in ‘organic’ and ‘Holi’ and we got 12.8 million results in less than a minute! Since everyone seems to be going organic this year for Holi, here are some tips to keep the spirit of the festival, without damaging each other or the environment.
Holi hai! People are psyched up for yet another joyous festival, bidding goodbye to winter for this year, smearing colour in each other’s lives and of course, faces. Pichkaris, water balloons, a million different types of coloured powders, not to forget all the sweets and gujiyas – countless reasons to look forward to this season. The age-old festival, celebrating life, love and the good, is still as much loved and enjoyed as it was – according to mythology – during the time of Radha and Krishna.
Today, however, we are a little more concerned about the consequences our fun times have on us as well as our environment. So, how do we sprinkle gulaal in the air, colour each other in every possible colour, eat all the yummy festive snacks and yet go back to work the next day without much damage? Read on for a few tips and tricks to enjoy the best of both worlds.
First thing’s first – colours. Gulaal or the coloured powders that are an integral part of this festival can be harmful in many ways as they contain chemicals that are neither good for our skin and hair nor for the air we breathe or the soil we grow food in. That’s why our best bet is organic colours that you can make at home with colourful flowers and vegetables or buy off the internet. In addition to being gentle on our hair and skin, these colours are also easy to wash off clothes, saving water.
Speaking of water, the less wasted, the better. Giving those pichkaris and colour filled pools a rest might not be as boring as one might think. Playing Holi solely with powders is fun too when you set up a stage and a music system, teemed with plenty of snacks.
During Holi, the brunt of the merriment is mostly borne by our hair and skin. Therefore, we should make sunscreen and oil our best friends for the day. Lathering up sunscreen will keep us protected from the sun, and oil will help wash off the colours from our skin without much effort, making the process easier. The same goes for our hair, oiling beforehand will keep them from drying out and easily cleanable.
Additionally, playing with mud, dirt and permanent colours wreak havoc on our skin and can damage the eyes and harm our stomach if they find their way in. Avoiding them strictly would be the best idea.
Keeping the recent Corona virus epidemic in mind, it is wiser to keep away from large crowds and play it safe with just a small gathering of friends and family, not to forget, cleaning up vigorously afterwards.
Lastly, for all the ladies out there, water free Holi can also be made fun if one looks good. Who says you only have to wear old tattered clothes for the festivities? Find a cheap white kurta from a local shop, tie up your hair in a lose braid and finish the look off with a little mascara and you are good to go.
Holi is a festival that starts off by burning the Holika, representing the victory of good over evil. Amidst the novel Corona virus scare, people can still smell spring in the air that comes with a hope, a hope that this Holi will mark the victory over the current evil at hand that is a deadly virus. For now, these few tips might help enjoy the colourful festival keeping safety and cleanliness in mind.
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