SMOKE AND INCENSE होली HAPPY HOLI!

OFFERINGS MADE ON THALI PLATES OF ROSE PETALS, SWEETS, INCENSE AND RICE

A BRAHMIN WALKS AROUND THE CIRCLE BLESSING EVERY ONE WITH RED BINDIS

BINDIFIED!!!

THE ENTIRE SKY IS FILLED WITH SMOKE AND INCENSE, BURNING DEEP INTO YOUR EYES CREATING A THICK SMOG OVER THE ENTIRE MARKETPLACE...

COMPLETE WITH MEDIEVAL MOUSTACHE, TURBIN AND TRADITIONAL WHITE PUNJAB SUIT, THIS GUY OWNS IT.

HE EVEN ASKED ME TO EMAIL THESE PHOTOS TO HIM. 

 CELEBRATING THE BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES MAJA AND CAROLINA'S BIRTHDAYS AT SEVENTH HEAVEN, AWAY FROM ALL THE SMOKE AND BEATING DRUMS, JUST FOR A MOMENT OF SERENITY AMIDST THE STORM......

WATER PISTOL SUNNIES BECAUSE YOU CAN.

7PM IN THE MARKET PLACE KICKS OFF THE ANNUAL HOLI FESTIVAL... HOLIKA DAHAN... THE BURNING OF HOLIKA. BONFIRES ARE LIT IN MEMORY OF THE MIRACULOUS ESCAPE THAT YOUNG PRAHLAD ACCOMPLISHED WHEN DEMONESS HOLIKA CARRIED HIM INTO THE FIRE. IT'S A CEREMONY TO START THE SPRING SEASON, CELEBRATED ON THE LAST FULL MOON DAY OF THE LUNAR MONTH, WHICH ALSO HAPPENS TO BE THE CLOSEST THE MOON HAS BEEN TO THE EARTH IN 20 YEARS TODAY! EPIC. A LARGE BONFIRE IS BUILT AND EVERYONE SITS AROUND WITH THEIR OFFERINGS, BLESSING THE SPACE AND PRAYING WHILE THROWING OFFERINGS INCLUDING COW MANURE ONTO THE STACK. FOR REAL.
THE FIRE IS LIT AND THE WHOLE MARKET PLACE GOES UP IN FLAMES, FIREWORKS SHOOTING UP HIGH INTO THE SKY. THE ENERGY IN THIS PLACE IS ELECTRIC!
EVERYONE HAS THEIR PAINT PACKED AND PISTOLS POISED, WITH THE ODD PAIR OF GOGGLES IN THE KIT READY FOR ATTACK.
TOMORROW IS A FULL ON COLOUR WAR. NOBODY IS SAFE. SKIN, HAIR, CLOTHES WILL BE COVERED IN THE BRIGHTEST OF COLOURED PAINT. HANDY TIP: LATHER IN COCONUT OIL OR RISK POST HOLI AVATAR LOOK!
GEARED UP AND BRACING MYSELF FOR THE MORNING'S ONSLAUGHT!