Celebrating Holi

This image will always make me feel the moment it was taken; music, laughter, incense, dancing. I so wanted to capture the fluid movement and brilliant color of this beautiful place.

Celebrating the Holi festival of colors in India has been on my bucket list since the first time I saw the colorful images of people throwing colored powders. I imagined it was beautiful and chaotic and full of energy and movement. A sensory overload.  I was so excited that during my time in India I was able to celebrate Holi in the town of Bundi, India. Holi is a Hindu festival that signifies the triumph of good over evil and is timed to celebrate the spring after winter.  Folks are encouraged to forgive and mend relationships and meet together to laugh and; as we heard over and over, “play Holi.”  It starts with lots of preparation and the Holika bonfire the night before.

celebrating Holi was an experience I will always remember. I love to see how other cultures celebrate and to be invited to join was a blessing!

The celebration gets a bit rowdy but I am glad we were in Bundi as I later heard stories of the more populated areas being VERY chaotic. Bundi was the right speed for a photographer to capture the fun without sacrificing my gear (that stayed in a bag the entire day just in case).

 Near where we were staying in town a friend and I heard music the day before Holi and followed our ears to a home celebration.  Many women were sitting under a beautiful tent and there were men singing and playing instruments.  We were quickly invited to join the festivities and sit with the women. It was beautiful; the colors, the incense, and the family and friends gathered together. We felt blessed they invited us in and of course we happy to smear us with colors. There are no “bystanders” in India.