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Do not keep children to their studies by compulsion but by play - Plato
Do you know about Holi like festivals that are equal or more fun? Kids love playing with water, and as I say that I can hear my twins washing their hands in the bathroom for the 100th time. Normally, I would have lectured them on water wastage, catching viral and all things mother by now. But with Holi, the Colourful Indian Festival around the corner all is forgiven. Or as they say in India ‘Bura Na Mano, Holi Hai’ or ‘Don’t mind, it’s Holi’. This festival has everything that the child in me loves: colours, water, fun dressing-up and my loved ones. Interstingly here are Holi like festivals that turn us into kids.
Songkran Water Festival, Thailand: This is as close to Holi, as it can be. There are guns, water guns I mean. Then of course the easily available buckets and hoses. I am not sure if they use water-balloons but that is something I loved as a kid. Thai people even add menthol to water to make a paste that cools one down. Importantly this festival is the New Year’s Festival in many Southeast Asian countries and people sprinkle water on each other as a sign of respect and for good luck. As it falls during hottest months, people cannot help but play with water. Just like we play Holi here in India.
La Tomatina, Spain: This week long festival in Spain can start only after someone brings down the ham, placed upon a cockaigne pole (a large, greased pole). Quite similar to Dahi Handi in India, people try and climb atop each other to reach the ham. And then almost some 50,000 people play with over-ripe tomatoes on every street and every corner across the town. It makes for a huge playground with the colour red bringing the kid in every person out to play. For more information on this Holi like festival, visit www.latomatina.org
Boryeong Mud Festival, Korea: This has to be the best marketing idea ever. Yes it is true that in the late 90’s this festival germinated to highlight the quality and health benefits of the BoreYeong Mud cosmetics. Today it is one of the biggest festivals in the world and attracts some crazy number of revellers every year. So if you want to refresh your childhood memories of getting dirty in the mud, this is where you head pal. Oh and while you are busy playing Holi with mud, soak in the benefits of germanium and bentonite for that extra healthy and shiny skin.
Battle of the Oranges, Italy: This one can get a bit rough sometimes thanks to the history of its origin. It represents the fight of the oppressed against the ruler. But nevertheless people juice out some serious fun here. What else can you do with 500,000 kilograms of oranges, if not play Holi?
Chinchilla Watermelon Festival, Australia: A drought stricken community started a watermelon festival and now people want more and more of it. Squash it, eat it, wear it, dunk it and even enjoy watermelon-skating. It is up to you to have as much fun as possible. Visitors have been swelling over the years to this small little town some 300Kms from Brisbane and painting it red, literally.
Isn’t it fascinating how festivals cut across cultures? India celebrates Christmas and Canada lights up on Diwali. People from different cultures are harmoniously living, eating and enjoying their differences together. This is the flavour of life we all need to celebrate. And if you want to add some Indian music to that we recommend some Punjabi songs and Bollywood actress Sridevi's hits.
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Comments (12)
Rhonda Renee Swan Posted on Mar 21, 2016
Great post here about festivals. Looks like a lot of fun. Keep up the great work and live unstoppable!
Najmah Capal Posted on Mar 16, 2016
Even though I dont celebrate festivals other than the Muslim Festivals which are Eid'l adha (done during pilgrimage month) and Eid'l fitr (done during Ramadan month), I find this very informative. Thanks for sharing.
Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag Posted on Mar 14, 2016
In the Philippines, we celebrate San Juan or St. John the Baptist's Feast Day and on that day people splash water to passersby. ;)
Dorothy Mae C. Torretijo Posted on Mar 14, 2016
Wow!! What a great collection of Festivals!! Hope you can post more photos soon!!
jennie villanueva Posted on Mar 14, 2016
Sounds like some real FUN fest! We all love and we all need to bring out the kids in us every once in a while, and enjoying activities such as these help keep the good vibes on, as long as you are 'game' with it.
Milton Coyne Posted on Mar 14, 2016
Here in my hometown, we have that version of Songkran Water Festival which we called Regada Water Fetival.. much like it, people are armed with water guns and splash water to anyone! They also built huge and long sprinklers so anyone can take showers... they also invite firetrucks and splash water to everyone during the event
Georgia Posted on Mar 14, 2016
The chinchilla watermelon festival sounds so good? I love nothing more than eating watermelon but I reckon I'd get a lot of satisfaction from squashing one! Haha! Great post thanks for sharing!
sabine Posted on Mar 14, 2016
Great collection of funny festivals! =) These things makes me feel like a kid and thats very good for the health I believe. Spain is still kinda close to me, but would need to travel to go here. What is your favorite festival of those? http://bit.ly/sofarsosabine
Subha natarajan Posted on Mar 14, 2016
Great piece...had only heard of La Tomatina..thanks for info on the other events across the world
Himanshi Lydia Singh Posted on Mar 14, 2016
Dear Charu, this article is as colourful as your site /blog. Honestly I knew only about the Spanish la tomato festival . But have more on my vocabulary. Thanks.
ROBERT LEE Posted on Mar 14, 2016
I was looking at the photos of water guns and it reminded me of a feast in a nearby city. On the day of the feast, people splash water at pedestrians and passing cars. Unfortunately, some asses splash dirty water too.
Me-An Clemente Posted on Mar 14, 2016
I both want to try the Songkran Water Festival and the Boryeong Mud Festival. However, for the Thai festival, I know that adding menthol can cool one down, but wouldn't it hurtful if it hits the eye? Just wondering, but it can add to the fun since they have to avoid being hit by water :)