Originally a festival to celebrate good harvests and fertility, Holi heralds the onset of Spring through a riotous celebration of color. The festival affords a moment to overcome caste, creed and economic barriers in the greeting of fellow revelers with gulal, the colored powder, often mixed with water, which Holi-goers characteristically shower upon each other. Associated with much Indian mythology and legend, Holi is celebrated throughout India in parks, town squares and other public spaces where large crowds gather to play to the accompaniment of folk music.
