Six Sensationally Strange Celebrations From Around the World
Posted by Samantha Evans on June 24th 2008 in Travel Tips, Samantha SmilesTravelers are inherently fascinated with the unusual. We willfully seek it out by opening ourselves to foreign cultures and customs, getting lost in exotic places, and chasing adventure wherever it runs. We ultimately learn that the superficially unfamiliar is actually familiar, that common values such as family and celebration are shared across all cultures in some form. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some wonderfully weird festivities held across the globe:
Holi Festival of Colors - India
Image courtesy of M. Raghu
The Holi Festival of Colors is a traditional Hindu holiday celebrated in several countries. Rooted in Hindu mythology, Holi is an exuberant celebration of the triumph of good over evil. The festivities take place over two days, generally in February or March based on the Hindu calendar. The first night kicks off with a towering bonfire of logs and dried brush, symbolizing the burning of the demoness Holika. On the second day, known as Dhuleti, the color free-for-all begins! People of all ages congregate in the streets in a playful melee of sprayed multicolored dyes, Bollywood singalongs, gift exchanges, and family get-togethers to celebrate the coming Spring and victory over evil. Read the rest of this entry »
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