Holi is a Hindu religious festival, dating back at least as far as the fourth century. As Indians emigrated to other countries, they took this colourful celebration with them. Today, it is celebrated all over the world and has been adopted by people who have no cultural or religious connections to the original festival, a national holiday in India.
Traditionally, Holi is celebrated in spring. The night before Holi is marked with a bonfire, while the main celebration the next day sees participants dancing, singing and throwing coloured powders and water on each other. Many people think of Holi as a time to repent and to end past conflicts; they also pay or forgive debts.
Originally, coloured powders used by Holi celebrants in India were made of plants, teas and herbs such as turmeric, as well as colourful blossoms and berries. In recent years, dyes containing metals and other contaminants have caused skin irritations and wastewater pollution. As a result, some NGOs are promoting stricter controls.Every year, about 30,000 Holika bonfires are held in India; critics say this is a source of air pollution, with each fire using about 100 kilograms of wood. In 2015, 15 people died in Taiwan following a dust explosion at a Holi celebration. The explosion, which injured hundreds of people, was caused when cornstarch powder, mixed with food dyes, was sprayed into the crowd at an indoor concert.
Holi will be celebrated in India on 2 March.