Holi

Days before, market stalls were selling packets of bright coloured powders. More upmarket shops extolled the virtues of organic vegetable derived powders, guaranteed not to stain clothes. Kids roamed around the litter strewn alleys and back lanes tentatively trying out their new water pistols. Panic stricken cats rushed for cover whilst somnolent dogs escaping the Delhi heat in deep shadows just shook the droplets off their heads.

Holi is the Hindu Spring festival when bright colours were traditionally smeared on the faces of worshipers at temples. Somehow this lovely tradition has mutated into an exuberant free for all where anyone and everyone can be liberally coated in vibrant colours.

It is a happy day, one of community celebration and family togetherness. In some communities coloured water is sprinkled or poured on friends and neighbours. In other places colourful petals are gracefully bestowed on the heads of smiling passers by.

Apart from watching all the fun and hilarity we had friends around to scoff cakes adorned with Holi coloured icing.

Lajpat Nagar, our neighbourhood, was alive with gleeful families scattering coloured powder on each other, throwing water on arriving family members and even passing cyclists. The kids emerged from the back alleys, now with free licence to demonstrate their finely honed skills at showering grinning rickshaw peddlers with streams of cooling water.

Have a look at the pictures