Hello everyone, welcome back to my blog, thoughttrailblog.com, as you know that holi festival is coming to in this month, so I am here to share my thoughts and felling and some gossips😊 on this, hope you like this blog and encourage me to write more .

Since childhood, Holi has never been a festival I enjoyed. My mother never allowed us to play Holi because she didn’t like how boys formed groups, went from house to house, and threw colors on each other. She always believed this was not a good practice, and I grew up with the same thinking. Even now, I don’t feel like playing with colors at all. While most people celebrate Holi with excitement, I have always stayed away from it.

Why Do Indians Celebrate Holi?

Holi is a major Hindu festival that celebrates the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. One of the most famous stories behind Holi is about Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu. His father, the demon king Hiranyakashipu, wanted to kill him because he refused to worship him instead of Vishnu. The king’s sister, Holika, had a special cloth that made her fireproof. She tricked Prahlad into sitting in the fire with her, but in the end, the cloth protected Prahlad instead, and Holika burned. This is why people light bonfires on Holi night, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.

Another reason for Holi celebrations comes from Lord Krishna’s childhood. Since Krishna had a dark complexion, he used to feel jealous of Radha’s fair skin. His mother suggested that he playfully put color on Radha’s face, and this playful act became a tradition. Today, people play with colors as a way of spreading joy and love.

While most of India celebrates Holi, Sikhs celebrate Hola Mohalla, a festival started by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1701. Unlike Holi, which is about colors and fun, Hola Mohalla is about strength, bravery, and discipline. The Sikh community, especially the Nihang warriors, perform mock battles, martial arts, and horse riding to show their courage and fighting skills. It reminds Sikhs of their warrior heritage and the importance of standing up for justice.

Hola Mohalla is celebrated in a grand way at Anandpur Sahib, the city where Guru Gobind Singh Ji founded the Khalsa. The festival lasts for three days, and thousands of Sikhs from all over the world gather here. The Nihang warriors lead the celebrations with their stunning horse-riding skills, sword fights, and war cries. People also take part in kirtan (spiritual singing), kavishri (poetry recitals), and langar (community meals). The entire city is filled with devotion and energy.

At the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Hola Mohalla is more spiritual. The Akal Takht organizes prayers, kirtan, and special ceremonies. The entire complex is beautifully decorated, and langar is served continuously. Unlike the color-throwing in Holi, here, Sikhs celebrate by remembering their history and showing discipline.

Playing Holi with Flowers

Some Sikh communities have found a different way to celebrate Holi—by playing with flowers instead of colors. This tradition, inspired by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, shows respect for nature and avoids the chaos that often comes with colored powders. Playing Holi with flowers keeps the spirit of joy alive without creating mess or discomfort.

Though Holi is meant to spread happiness, some people take it as an excuse to misbehave. Every year, cases of harassment, drunken fights, and even serious crimes increase during Holi. Many women feel unsafe going out on this day because some men use the festival as an excuse to touch them inappropriately. News reports often highlight how alcohol consumption leads to violence, road accidents, and even deaths.

For example, in past years, several cities in India have reported incidents where women were harassed under the pretense of playing Holi. In some places, people have thrown harmful chemicals and mud instead of organic colors. Such incidents spoil the beauty of the festival and make it unsafe for many.

Looking back, I understand why my mother never liked Holi. She always wanted to keep us safe from the chaos that happens on this day. Now, as an adult, I feel the same way. I don’t enjoy playing with colors, and I don’t like the way some people behave during Holi. On the other hand, I feel proud of how Sikhs celebrate Hola Mohalla with discipline and strength.

While Holi has its cultural and historical significance, I believe that people should celebrate it responsibly. No one should be forced to play with colors, and everyone should respect others’ choices. Similarly, authorities should take strict action against those who misbehave. A festival should bring happiness, not fear.

Holi and Hola Mohalla are two very different festivals, yet both are important in their own ways. Holi is about colors, love, and spring, while Hola Mohalla is about bravery, strength, and Sikh history. It’s up to individuals how they want to celebrate. What’s important is that no festival should become a reason for harm or discomfort.

As for me, I prefer to stay away from colors, just as I always have. Instead, I like to spend the day in my own way—remembering our culture, spending time with family, and observing the beautiful traditions of Hola Mohalla.