A Word of Caution about Festivals (Holi)

lotus blossom

i was on the sidelines watching holi this past march, being careful to avoid getting colors thrown in my face. people really do go a little crazy with it, but from where i stood watching it seemed pretty harmless. i spoke with some of the locals who did not want to get painted either, saying that it is too toxic.

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WalkinOnSunshine

Hey guys!!!
Has anyone ever been in Hyderabad at Holi time? I'm always up for some fun and colored powder, but sexual harrassment is not high on my list of good times. (As much as I hate to ask this question), will I be safe if I go with men, both Indian and foriegn?
Also, I am in the midst of choosing the dates of my Himalayan adventure in either Himachal Pradesh or Sikkim and Darjeeling. These days could potentially overlap with Holi. Would these places be a better or worse locale to experience the festival?
My friends had a fake Holi party once, complete with powdered paints. Somehow even my underwear turned pink, purple, and blue. Should I settle and let this be the closest I come to Holi mayhem?

sirensongs

Anandi: SHEESH, your driver's story!
Good advice to stay indoors - either that, or stay in the South.
I was in Chennai one year (2003), Auroville in 2004, a train to Kerala 2005, and only in Chennai did I see 2 guys walking down a street covered in pink. I think they were N. Indians who had gone to their own celebration. It's not a big deal in the South - more of a Northern thing I think.

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sudzindia

yea its not common down south...but it sounds pretty dangerous eh? with all these weird accounts...crazy. Remind me to stay off the streets! maybe get on a rooftop n get some pics of ppl getting roughed up maybe...

WalkinOnSunshine

Okay, I will definitely be in either Sikkim or Darjeeling during Holi. Does anyone have any advice on someplace in this region that is safe but interesting during Holi?

Sree

This year 14th & 15th March will be celerated as holi (DOL YATRA for bengalis).
"Safe but interesting place during holi"..... my knowledge says that Santiniketan (Bolpur) will be the best. Rabindranath Tagore started this festival of color, that is BASANTA UTSAB in his ashram, Santi niketan. This is really enjoyable. Here students of Viswabharati performs various cultural progarms, they greet each other with the nontoxic powder "abeer", but it is never against any ones will.

this also may help you.

jivan

I've been into these sort of things & feel very uneasy when the women want to go to see holi.
Holi as a festival was meant for purifying one's karma. There is a big bonfire where one puts all his jealousies, anger with the other which has been collected the past yr. & the next day is supposed to be a fresh start. The whole playing with colors started with the Brij people. In Vrindavan
The best way one experiences Holi is with colors & Bhaang Lassi. You get a silly high & u end up crying/laughing all day long. It also is said as the time when Krishna played with his Gopiyas.
The best case scenario (especially for women power) is in this place called Vrindavan where men from one village come to the other village & the women beat the men with lathis on their forehead (there is a thick turban+dhaal to prevent injuries) but shows women power.
There is also a huge spiritualistic/humor side to the festival which sadly over the yrs. has been turned into a sadistic/voyueristic obnoxious behavior. Can't say anymore. Sad

lotus blossom

i prefer to see the power of women displayed in equality versus a violent means where her frustrations are taken out on men and the patriarch for one day out of the year.

jivan

true but if they were equals then most of us would have to change & learn new skills especially soft skills. That's difficult. Know for a fact that men don't stand a chance against an efficient woman. Especially in human resources & middle-class management they are a pain as well as a class apart. Pain as we guys (Indian guys mostly) don't know how to express ourselves as clearly as they do.

lotus blossom

change is a really really good thing, especially when it involves issues of equality, because women are indeed equal, not a "class apart". men can learn their "soft" skills from women. we can learn from and teach one another, rather than trying to control and overpower others.

jivan

yes totally agree. The only thing is the stupid male ego & 'I know better than her' attitude. I've seen the same in myself(at times) & do question it from time-to-time. The hard part many a time comes in accepting one's ineptness although have been also been able to express it also. Sigh! So much more to learn/share

ambika

back to the holi festival - we went into margao station that day and decided to join in and get amoungst it all. i had no idea what to expect we were just told it was a really colourful festival with paint, the kids love it, lots of music and dancing in the street, we were not told of possible harrassment - it was an awfull experience as i was groped and touched all over the chest. i had a bloke with me (quite a large bloke) but because there was so many people we were seperated, he said he could hear me shouting his name to help me but he just couldn't get to me. at first i tried to smile and laugh but seconds into it i was just scared. this was 6 years ago but i'm sure its still the same. i'm not saying this will happen everywhere or to everyone as i believe i was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. and i do agree its sad that this is said about such a traditionally spiritual and fun day. maybe the advice is the same as others above and if anybody out there wants to experience holi day - don't join in, watch from the side (on a rooftop sounds great).

somnath

Hi,
I’ve experienced Holi in Gangtok (Sikkim)and last year I was in Darjeeling during Holi. My experience says this area is much better place during Holi. You need not to worry if you are in Gangtok. Tourists are treated as God. But just don’t jump in to the crowd to involve but you can watch the celebration quite safely. In case of Darjeeling, cant say that as safe as Sikkim but not horrible at all.

Now, let me post something positive about this beautiful / unique festival of India. If anyone is interested to get involved in Holi, like to take active part to celebrate the festival of color SHANTINIKETAN is the place (mentioned in post no 36 by Sree). Holi has become an opportunity to get drunk and some other activities those are already mentioned in some community. If you observe very carefully you will find it is not North India or south or east; neither big city nor the village but it is a couple of community who has spoiled the fun or the spirit of the festival. So avoid such place where law and order is unable to control. Hence Sikkim and Darjeeling is better place but Shantiniketan is the best. Govt. keeps enough force and a close look to maintain the situation absolutely safe for hundreds of foreign students of this university and tourists from other countries. Here are some links that may help you to take decision (and you can search on google):

http://www.holifestival.org/basant-utsav.html

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/a...,prtpage-1.cms

Finally, Shantiniketan is a nice place to visit. For some helpful info like how to get there and all plz vist:
1. http://travels.talash.com/shanti-niketan-travel/
2. http://www.wb.nic.in/westbg/shanti.html

Wish you a happy and safe Holi.
- Somnath

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665

My boyfriend and I fly to Delhi tomorrow (firsttime for both!). We spend two days in Delhi exploring the city, and on the 14th March take a day trip to Agra and return to stay one more night in Delhi. We fly to Udaipur on the 15th at approx. 2pm.

I was wondering if any of you had suggestions as to how to fit some kind of 'holi' experience into that schedule? Perhaps we can watch from a rooftop on the morning of the 15th before heading to Udaipur ... if so, what accommodation would be good to watch and experience holi (ie. place with rooftop etc) - we have yet to book accomodation for the nights of Mar 13 and 14. Other suggestions????

Thanks!!!

magan

Are Indian women on the streets during Holi?