Holi, A festival of colours

This year, 2011, Holi is on 20 March.
Every year there are interesting notices and items in the newspaper in the days before Holi. There are recipes for gujiyas, thandai and other delicious eats, offers of discounts on various goods, special Holi menus in restaurants, as well as notices from government departments. On the TV there are clips from old films, featuring Holi songs.
This year in the newspapers, we have, from the Department of Environment and Forests 'Say Happy Herbal Holi', with instructions below on making colours from plants and flowers.
From the Delhi police we have two, which give one an idea of how Holi is celebrated in the city.
One notice says:
'Respect the feelings of others while celebrating the festival of colours.
Don't play colours with unwilling persons.
Don't offend sensitivity of others.
Don't throw water or balloons on passers-by.
Don't throw dirt and chemicals on people.
Don't indulge in eve-teasing.
Don't drink and drive.'
Another notice is more ominous. It says:
'Celebrate Holi at home or behind bars: the choice is yours. Don't drink and drive. Drunken driving is punished with jail term, suspension of driving licence and fine.'
It goes on to give some statistics on numbers arrested and jailed this year, and says:
'Do Not:
Ride more than two on two-wheelers.
Ride without helmet.
Over speed.
Overcrowd in vehicles.
On Holi last year 5300 persons were challaned including 436 for drunken driving.' [a challan is a notice to pay a fine or appear in court].
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Below is an extract on legends associated with Holi, modified from my book, Religions of India.
Holi
A Hindu festival usually celebrated in March. It is a spring and harvest festival, more popular in north India, and is celebrated on two days, the first by lighting bonfires, and the second by throwing coloured water and dry powdered colour on one another. According to some astrological calculations, the Hindu new year starts two days after the Holi fire is lit.
Several legends are associated with the festival, the most popular being that of Holika. Holika was the sister of Hiranyakashipu, whose son Prahlad was devoted to the god Vishnu. She joined her brother in trying to kill Prahlad because of this devotion. She took Prahlad on her lap and entered a fire, as she believed she was beyond harm, but she was consumed by the fire, whereas Prahlad emerged unharmed because of his worship of Vishnu. Thus, the night before Holi, fires are lit, symbolising the burning of Holika and the triumph of good over evil.
Another legend links Holi with the defeat of Kama, the god of love, by Shiva, while according to another story it is a celebration of the marriage of Shiva and Parvati.
The festival has a special significance in Mathura, where Holi is celebrated for several days, and associated with the god Krishna. According to local tradition, Krishna used to throw spring flowers of different colours on the gopis, and thus the practice of throwing coloured water on one another, started. In this area, ‘Lath Mar’ Holi is also celebrated, where women attempt to hit men with sticks, thus establishing their dominance for at least one day in the year. In Barmer in Rajasthan, groups throw stones at each other, and in Meera Ghat in Varanasi, they attack each other with sticks. Wrestling and boxing matches also take place.
In rural areas Holi remains linked with the harvest, and the harvested sheaves are roasted and offered to deities. In some regions, Holi dances are performed.
Special delicacies are made on Holi. Malpua, a sweet of bread and sugar syrup, gujiya, another sweet, and papri, made of corn flour are popular in north India. In Maharashtra, puranpori, a kind of flat bread stuffed with sweet lentils is common, and in Gujarat, flat millet bread. Traditionally bhang, an intoxicant, is also used, leading at times to wild behaviour.
Holi is thus not only a spring festival, heralding spring with colour and song, but a time when conventions are broken, in a spirit of freedom.