— SACRED TIME —

Holi

March 3 · Hinduism · Eastern traditions

Moveable date

Esoteric and historical meaning

Full moon of Phalguna: burning of Holika and love of Krishna and Radha. Castes and roles dissolve in colored powder: institutionalized regenerative chaos.

Operative mechanics — ritual acts

·Holika Dahan: bonfire on the previous evening
·Throwing colored powders (gulal) at each other
·Forgiveness and settling of quarrels

Traditional foods

·Gujiya
·Thandai
·Milk sweets

Offerings

·Grain and coconut thrown into the bonfire

Taboos to respect

·Do not hold a grudge over the day's pranks
·Do not exclude anyone from the play

Associated symbols

Colored powders · Bonfire · Krishna's flute

Note for paradigm shifting

A living model of collective paradigm shift: identities suspended for a day.