The Holi festival is more than just a gimmick – people need to stop appropriating its traditions

If you have ever seen crowds of people dressed in white and covered in powdered paint then you have probably stumbled across one of the Holi-themed events that are gaining popularity among posh Balham boys and hippie Hackney girls.

But chances are you might not know what Holi actually is.

Holi – the festival of colours – is one of the largest festivals celebrated by Hindus to represent good overcoming evil. Falling in March or April, the festivities mark the arrival of spring and celebrate fertility, harvest and new life. In India streets fill with laughter and shrieking as people of all ages and backgrounds armed with bags of gulal (coloured powder) ‘play Holi’ by throwing said powder on each other as an enactment of playful Lord Krishna playing pranks on local children.

Read the full post at Metro.co.uk.