Say Holi and images of playing with Gulal and water with family and friends flashes through our minds. And gorging on traditional Holi sweet dishes is a must. For different people, this festival evokes different memories, but the zest of colours, playfulness, the happiness it brings remain the same. However, there are certain traditions, which have not been passed to generations or forgotten on the way. Let’s take a journey through some of the forgotten customs that once defined this festival.
Holika Dahan
Well, yes, people still do Holika Dahan, a day before Holi but only a few remember the whys of it. Aditi Khandelwal, co-founder of Kicky and Perky, reminisces about attending Holika Dahan as a child, where the sacred bonfire represented the burning away of negativity. “The heat of the flames always reminded me how wrongdoing, quite literally, burns away,” she says. Traditionally, this fire was more than a ritual—it was a lesson. The ash from the fire was once applied to the forehead as a symbol of purification and protection from evil. Over time, the emphasis on this practice has diminished, making way for a more symbolic burning rather than an introspective one.
Astrologer Dr. Virender Sahni also highlights the now-forgotten tradition of Kamadhaman, an ancient South Indian practice that represented the suppression of desires (Kaam Daman). “This was later adapted in North India as Holika Dahan, the ritual bonfire that signifies the victory of good over evil. The story of Bhakta Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap is central to this ritual, yet many today focus only on playing with colours and forget the deeper significance of Holika Dahan,” he explains.
Bura Na Maano Holi Hai
It is still the headline of newspapers where they spread rumours and tag it under their “Bura Na Maano Holi Hai” section but the deeper significance of this tradition is getting forgotten. In earlier times, Holi was not just about colour—it was a day of forgiveness. The phrase “Bura na mano Holi hai” originally encouraged people to mend broken relationships and reconnect with family and friends.
Dr Sahni points out, “Holi was traditionally regarded as a day to put aside differences and dissolve past grievances. Unfortunately, this beautiful aspect of Holi is now often overlooked. The phrase ‘Bura na mano Holi hai’ was not just about playful mischief but about embracing a spirit of reconciliation and harmony.”
Sanya Khandelwal, co-founder of Kicky and Perky, notes a cultural shift in how Holi is celebrated today. “Now, it’s all about parties and get-togethers—no one really plays Holi anymore.” This shift towards modern social gatherings has sidelined the original intention of unity and healing.
Environmental benefits
Dr. Pratayksha Bhardwaj, a World Record Holder Dietician, explains that Holi was once deeply connected to Ayurveda and seasonal transitions. “To cool off the internal heat of the body, thandai with herbs such as fennel, cardamom, and rose was consumed,” she notes.
Additionally, ubtan, a mixture of turmeric, gram flour, and rose water, was traditionally applied to detoxify the skin from the effects of harsh colours. “One of the practices that has lost its significance is the use of ubtan, which was meant to counteract synthetic colours,” she adds.
Nature conservation was another overlooked aspect of Holi. “Ancient texts mention that Holi was a time for Vriksha Ropan (tree planting), as a way to honour nature’s renewal. Just as trees shed old leaves to welcome new growth, Holi symbolised renewal in life as well. However, this important environmental ritual has largely been forgotten,” Dr. Sahni explains.
Regional rituals
Several unique Holi traditions across India have faded or are at risk of being lost such as Phoolon Ki Holi. This tradition, where devotees are showered with flower petals instead of synthetic colours, was a more eco-friendly way to celebrate Holi. “We love playing with organic gulal—watching the vibrant colors burst into the air,” says Aditi Khandelwal, reflecting on a modern yet conscious approach to Holi.
In some parts of India, people roasted barley seeds in the Holika Dahan fire to predict agricultural fortunes. “The direction in which they popped indicated how prosperous the harvest would be—a practice now nearly extinct,” says Dr. Sahni.
Traditionally, people consumed fermented foods like buttermilk, pickles, and yoghurt before Holi to strengthen digestion ahead of the festival’s indulgences. Dr Bhardwaj advises, “It’s important to prepare your gut for such extravagance. I tell my clients to include probiotic-rich foods, such as yoghurt, buttermilk, and fermented pickles, for digestion. Drinking jeera or fennel-infused water facilitates metabolism and prevents bloating.”
Reviving the spirit
Holi is more than just colour—it is a festival of purification and renewal. While modern celebrations bring their charm, embracing some of these lost traditions could restore the festival’s deeper meaning.
Whether it is seeking forgiveness, honouring nature, or nourishing the body with ancient wisdom, Holi’s true essence lies in its rich cultural roots. As Dr Sahni reminds us, “Modern celebrations have stripped away much of the cultural and spiritual essence of Holi, making it more about revelry than reflection.”
