I have a new favorite holiday! On Wednesday we celebrated Holi by smearing colors on each other to show love. And Udaipur celebrated Holi with the most rigor out of any city!
My favorite part was actually the night before. All around the center of the city were tall tree-like structures made of hay, and in front of the main temple was the largest of them all. Every year they burn them to symbolize triumph of good over evil.
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| Cow minding its own business |
My friends and I were told by some old ladies we met at a temple that the night would start with a traditional performance, but it turned out to be more similar to a disco with dance groups dancing to Gangnam Style. One interesting part was the hijras, who are eunuchs thought to have powers to curse or bless and are marginalized by society. The hijras would pull men onto stage and dance with them on stage. All the men were laughing and trying to push each other onto stage.
As soon as the performance was over and the focus turned to the big hay-tree in the center, I started to get really worried. Isn't that thing going to burn and fall on all these people? I fidgeted with my hands while I waited for the burning to start. I don't want to be incinerated! Suddenly I heard a pop of a firecracker and it was silent. Then more pops and an escalation. POPPOPPOPPOPPOPPOPPOP!!!! Everyone was backing up away from the tree and I was on the stairs of the temple walking backwards as fast as I could while keeping my eyes on the tree.
There was smoke everywhere and the cracking of firecrackers was so loud it filled my whole head and even if there had been a sonic boom it would have just blended in! OhNoOhNoOhNoOhNo! And then the whole hay-tree was on fire! I felt the heat of the fire on my face.
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| AHHH!!!! |
The fire didn't actually last too long, and I was so happy to be alive and unburned! Then I was surprised by my friend shouting Happy Holi! and a big smear of bright purple paint on both my cheeks. Everyone started throwing color on everyone else and everyone was laughing.
A reporter came up to my friends who are mostly non-Indian and interviewed them. When my friend Lindsay said she had a good time, the reporter turned off the camera and said, "No, you have to say it is the best time of your life!" Here is all of us with the reporter.
The next day people celebrated both in the streets and privately at home by sprinkling colorful Holi powder on each other. Here's some pictures of the day.
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| I'm covered in Holi powder! |
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| Tourist on the street |
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