Holi

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Holi is the Festival of Colours, joy and mirth, fun and play, music and dance, and, of course, lots and lots of bright colours celebrated in our own innovative fashion!! It is undoubtedly the most fun-filled and boisterous of Hindu festival.

For those of you who don't know, Holi is celebrated on Phalgun Purnima (on the full moon day) which comes in February end or early March. It has an ancient origin and celebrates the triumph of 'good' over 'bad'.

The day before the full moon day of the Holi is called Holika Dahan also known as the Small Holi. Children lit up bonfires and sing and dance around it. The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape made by young Prahlad, when Demoness Holika carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion for God Vishnu. The main day, Holi, also known as Dhuli Vandana in Sanskrit, also Dhulheti, is celebrated by people throwing coloured powder and coloured water at each other.

The tradition of covering everyone in the beautiful coloured powder started again from a legend, this one about Lord Krishna who applied colour to his beloved Radha and other gopis. These magnificent colours signify the new blossoms of the spring and perhaps even more true to the inherent meaning of this celebration. Traditionally. the powder was made from gulal which included fragrant flowers and some spices chosen for their therapeutic and emollient qualities such as turmeric or haldi, flower extracts, sandalwood and mehndi. A special drink called thandai is also prepared (commonly made of almonds, pistachios, rose petals, etc.), sometimes containing bhang.

It is a tad too late to write a post on Holi i know. But the best ever holi i have ever played was with atleast 20 buckets of coloured water poured onto me and oodles and oodles of gulaal smeared on all of us. People ran in every direction hurling orange, pink, yellow and green powder, splattering the white shirts of targets and creating a splash of bright colour. It was an explosion of colours and the memories are still fresh in my mind.

I am so thankful that we have so many festivities in India.. It is the best way to connect with people and invite over guests.. Otherwise the much planned getaways and kitties always end up only as plans that never materialise. So three cheers to the festival of colours!!

Mom, Mummy, Maa

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A question/thought was just pondering in my mind today: who are all the people who had significant influence in my life and made me what I am today.And i remembered an incident from my childhood. I was closely listening to the rain pound against the glass of my window, as a sudden clap of thunder nearly made me fall out of my bed in terror. Without a second thought I grabbed my pillow as I stumbled across the darkness of my house towards my mother's bed. "Mommy, can I come in bed with you?" I whispered to her. She stretched out her arms and pulled me in close to her. Suddenly, in my seven-year-old mind, I was no longer afraid. I miss my Mom so much and I dedicate this blog to her. :)

A mother's love begins even before the child is born. The first word that a child learns to speak is mother. When you are in pain, the first word that comes out of your mouth is "momma". Mother, also known as mom, mummy, maa(hindi), mãe(portuguese), Imma (hebrew), meteara (greek), ammi(urdu), amma (telugu) and so on, is a word that has the power to make you feel secure in the hardest of times. Mom is someone to shelter and guide us, to love us, whatever we do, with a warm understanding and infinite patience.

Mom you mean so much to me. I always wanted to be like you..strong, patient, supportive, fair, great teacher, loving, perfectionist, independent, kind, sensible, calm.. in short a super cool and super mom :P. Your heart is full of forgiveness for my any mistake, big or small. :). There is no limitation, no expectation and no selfishness in your love and it is forever. You have always been there for me in difficulties, differences, wounds, days of joys, winding, wearing, weeping, sharing.... You taught me so many things right from how to eat to how to live life, respect yourself and others, logic, foresight, think ahead and so on.. I owe all this to you.

Finally, this poem for u mom.. :)

You were there with me at night time

you were there with me at morning time

Never changing for all time

So, for all the times I didn't say,

The love I felt for you each day

Mom, read this so you can always see

Just how much you mean to me

I love you more than you know

You have my total respect.
If I had my choice of mothers,
You'd be the one I'd select!

I love you Maa.. :)

Women's Day

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International Women's Day, originally called International Working Women’s Day is marked on March 8^th every year. It is a major day of global celebrating the elegance of women. In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women's economic, political and social achievements.

The first IWD was observed on 19th March 1911 in Germany following a declaration by the Socialist Party of America. The idea of having an international women's day was first put forward at the turn of the 20th century amid rapid world industrialisation and economic expansion that led to protests over working conditions. And this year March 8, 2011 is the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day.

International Women's Day is meant to appreciate WOMEN, who have the biggest but quietest influence in our lives. A woman is an emblem of beauty; an enigma that harbors a myriad thoughts and emotions within the crucible of privacy. And this beauty is definitely not just skin-deep. A woman is the epitome of tenderness, care, and wisdom. She drives you crazy, and yet one cannot fathom how insipid the world would be without her.. :P. It can be mom who balances work and home beautifully, a person who will guide you all your life, she will always be there for you and love you no matter what.It can be your wife, sister, aunt, grandma. Women have strength that amazes men. Biologists have spent their lifetime decoding the mystery of 'woman.' But the woman continues to be an enigma. Her enigma embodies her beauty. It is the day to make them feel appreciated and loved.

So here's a toast to all the beautiful and amazing women out there & A Happy Women's day!!

A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform. By Diane Mariechild.