Holi – Rickshaw Challenge

Love and Colours: Holi Festival

veronika — Fri, 25 Mar 2016 13:49:38 +0000

You might have noticed, that yesterday, social media was packed with Holi songs, good wishes and photos of people covered in all the colours of the rainbow. “Why would someone have colourful powder thrown at them, is this some kind of rave party?” No, it’s much more than that!

All the Colours of the Rainbow. Photo Credit: Kumar’s Edit

Holi is the celebration of the triumph of “good” over “evil,” it is the festival of colour and sharing love. During this day, people who celebrate it, hug and wish each other a “Happy Holi.”
Originally, they called the festival “Holika,” and according to historians, it was held by Aryans and people living in the Eastern parts of India. They also think that Holi was existent before Christ, but the meaning of the celebration changed throughout time; at first, it was all about the worship of the Full Moon (called Raka,) and brides had to perform a ritual that would bring happiness to their families.

Colouring the Clouds. Photo Credit: Steffane Lui

Fun Fact: The literal meaning of Holi is “burning.” Now, the legend usually associated with Holi is the story of the evil demon king, Hiranyakashyap. He wanted everybody in his kingdom to only worship him, but he found out that his son, Prahlad, didn’t wish to worship him – instead, he continued worshipping Lord Vishnu. To take revenge, Hiranyakashyap asked his sister, Holika, to sit on a bonfire, and trick her nephew to come sit in her lap. Holika had a special cloak that would protect her from burning to death, and Prahlad would die. However, Holika and the evil king didn’t know that the trick only worked when Holika went into the fire alone – as a result, she burned in the fire. Prahlad survived due to his faith in Vishnu, and was rewarded. It is thus that the legend of Holi, the triumph of good over evil came about.

Holika. Photo Credit: Ronaldo Lazzari

Another legend linked to the festivities is the legend of Radha and Krishna. Krishna was sad that he had a dark complexion, and didn’t understand why his love, Radha was fair. Seeing that his son was unhappy, Krishna’s mother, Yashoda suggested a game: why not smear some colourful paint onto Radha’s face? This way she could be any colour Krishna wanted. The children started playing this game, and this is how the festival of colour came about.
The Festival of Holi is made up of numerous rituals. A couple of days before the celebrations, people start gathering wood for the Holika bonfire at main crossroads of villages and cities. On the eve of Holi, a replica sculpture of the evil Holika is thrown in the fire and burnt. Next day, there are different types of celebrations across –mostly – Northern India; for example, playing with colours is incredibly popular.

Throw Your Colours in the Air! Photo Credit: Janssem Cardoso

In the Southern parts of the country, people rather worship Kaamadeva, the god of love. Kaamadeva’s legend goes this way: he put his life at risk by shooting his arrow at Shiva to break his meditation and draw his attention to what was happening in the world. During the celebrations, people visit relatives and give each other sweets and delicacies.
Send a Holi E-card to your loved ones to let them know that you’re thinking of them! And maybe after you have experienced the magic of Holi, dive into adventure with us!

Are you crazy enough to come along for the ride? Then join us on the next Rickshaw Challenge. Get a team together and let’s see you at the starting line! If you want to join us in spirit, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to keep up with our latest antics.

Holi 2014: Festival Of Colors

admin — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 08:52:31 +0000

Holi, the festival of colors marks the end of winter and the upcoming spring harvest season.
Holi is celebrated across India a day after the full moon in March each year. This year, Holi will be celebrated on March 17 which is today. Hindus believe it is a time of enjoying spring’s colors and saying goodbye to winter. It’s also a day to forgive and forget.
Holi clip below from Steady

Holi

A Ride Through India

admin — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 11:14:20 +0000

A short film about photographer Kien Lam travels through India behind the wheels of many auto rickshaws on the street,
at all the wonderful food stalls on the streets, and celebrating Holi along the way.

A Journey Through India

Post-Holi

admin — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:44:02 +0000

After Holi festival comes the inevitable soap, water and scrubbing.
Filmed in Jodhpur, Rajasthan – India by warmeye

Holi hai

admin — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 08:54:07 +0000

A movie about India, holi, colors, dance and love! By Mandra Shivo

Holi Animation

admin — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 07:45:37 +0000

Holi, aka The Festival of Colors, is a religious festival celebrated by Hindus each spring. Occurring the day after the full moon in the month of Phalguna, or early March, participants hold a bonfire, throw colored powder at each other, and go absolutely crazy.
Animation: Rick Thompson

Holi

admin — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 08:18:01 +0000

‘The world is fascinating. People and cultures inspire us. Sadly, the fast paced lifestyles of our generation result in many not taking the necessary step back to soak in the existing world around us. Our goal with this film is to help viewers further appreciate and take notice of the beauty in life & culture that lies within our world…’
Watch “Holi” by Variable

Festival of Colours

admin — Tue, 22 May 2012 12:05:04 +0000

Photographer/director Xavier Zimbardo went to India to shoot the Holî, also known as Colours Festival, and came back with these incredible images.

Holi Blast

admin — Fri, 11 May 2012 06:59:32 +0000

Holi, the festival of colors is a celebration unlike any other, a religious spring festival celebrated by Hindus. The holiday, commemorated by throwing colored powder is enjoyed by people all over the world, it is primarily observed in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and has found particular popularity in Utah, USA, where more than forty-thousand people, Indian and American, Hindu and non-Hindu, gather each year.