Once upon a time there was a cruel king, called Hirnakashyah, who had a son, named Prahlad, who believed in the god Vishnu.
Being angry about his son`s choice, Hirnakashyah ordered his sister, Holika to take Prahlad in her arms and throw themselves into the burning fire, as she was being protected by the gods of flames. But the gods turned their faces from the cruel king and his sister and the almighty Vishnu takes Prahlad into his arms, by protecting him against the devouring fire and takes the life of the poor Holika.
Years went by, Prahlad became a king and in memory of his aunt and his  incredible story, he created one of the most colourful festivals of the world: Holi.
This is the legend, but Holi is as real, spectacular and unforgettable… as possible.
For the Hindus, Holi has many meanings and values: from the celebration of love, the arrival of spring, to the victory of good over evil; it`a a day to forgive and  forget, to have fun, without limits and discrepancies related to social status. Everybody, old and young alike, poor or rich, friends or strangers, gather in the streets, in the parks or outside the temples, sing, dance eat and enjoy themselves.

Holi is one of the most important festivals in the northern part of India and is celebrated on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna, which usually falls in March.
Holika`s legend has a religious significance, too and the night before the festival, there are lots of rituals during which bonfires are lit, people sing and dance around them.
On Holi day, an explosion of colours, of multi-coloured powder solutions, of songs and enthusiasm prevail over the streets of the city and every inhabitant paints his face, throws coloured powder into the air, showing off  the need for freedom, the joy of life and the hope that every day of his life will be like the Holi one.

The colours are in most cases obtained from traditional plants and herbs, such as red, out of saffron, blue, out of Indian berries or grapes, brown out of dried tea leaves, turmeric, a natural plant-derived yellow.

I hope that each of you will sometime enjoy, during your journey through life, a Holi day, in the middle of the incredible India: may you fill with wonder when seeing each and every colored face ,may you feel freedom, happiness, the sublime of every passing second, together, may you treasure the memory of , at least, one drop of complete Holi joy, for good.

Let’s color our life every day, colored friends!!