By Amy Norman and Little Passports, www.littlepassports.com

Designed to inspire children to learn about other countries and cultures in a fun and engaging way, Little Passports is a monthly subscription service that delivers the world via fun activities and online games. Find more DIY culture activities at https://www.littlepassports.com/blog/.

What better way to welcome spring than by dowsing your nieces and nephews – and complete strangers – with colored powder and water? That’s exactly what happens during Holi, a spring festival most popularly celebrated in India and Nepal. The event is often referred to as the Festival of Colors, and its main purpose is to celebrate the beginning of spring. Indians say goodbye to the cold of winter and rejoice in the bright colors of a new season.

Holi takes place on the last full moon of the lunar month Phalguna, and the traditions of Holi are as diverse as the colors of spring.

In some states, a pot of buttermilk is hung high above the street in honor of the Hindu god, Krishna, who is known for a fondness of – you guessed it – buttermilk. During the celebration, dancers make human pyramids to try to reach the pot and spill the milk. While they reach, others throw colored water and powder on the pyramids as a distraction. (Krishna is also known for his playful tricks!)

Holi is a brilliant way to liven your spirit and welcome the arrival of spring. Bring a dash of color to your season with our colored powder recipe. (And be warned – things get messy during Holi!)

Ingredients

-1 cup flour
-1/2 cup water (give or take)
-Food coloring
 
Instructions

1. Mix the flour and water in a large bowl until it forms a thick paste.
2. Add your favorite food coloring to the paste and mix it in with your hands. (You may want to wear gloves!)
3. Scoop the paste from the bowl and form it into a ball with your hands.
4. Use a rolling pin to flatten the ball into a disc that is about 1/4 inch thick.
5. Let the disc sit over night, until it has completely dried.
6. Use a coffee grinder to crumble the disc back into powder.

Notes

Warning: this recipe gets messy!

Photo: Naypong
Published: April 2, 2013