"Phatak, Phatak" blasted many baloons behind my back and I was left horrified. As I came back to my resort, I narrated the entire incidence to my resort manager, Karan. "oh! Sir, don't mind, it's Holi time" said the managers. " Ho......li!" I exclaimed.

Whatever it was, I was left gasping for air. But some how my introduction to the festival, initiated a desire in me to know more. Since I was on my leisure trip, the manager warned me of more such incidences. But this time, I was quite prepared for them. I knew that it was festive time and people are in good mood. As I searched net, I came to know more about the festival of colors. The festival of Holi is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early March every year.

In fact, one peculiar thing that I noticed that Holi was celebrated by people of all ages. My resort manager, Karan had been a great help and friend during my stay in India. My resort was located in central Delhi suurounded by good markets. It was clear through the decorated shops, that some mega festival was round the corner. All big and small shops had bags full of colors and baloons.

Karan acquainted me that holi is an excuse for Indians to shed inhibitions and caste differences for a day of spring fever and Big Fun. Teenagers spend the day flirting and misbehaving in the streets, adults extend the hand of peace, and everyone chases everyone else around, throwing brightly colored powder or gulal, as it is called and water over each other.

On the D-day, even I was prepared to be a part of the mega fest. I took out my white colored T-shirt and an old jeans . In fact, my resort manager, Karan was with me all the day round. He and I became good friends. We met people within the resort and celebrated Holi together in the compound. I was colored in green, red, yellow and many others...

Karan also told me that Holi like any other festival in India is celebrated in a different manner all over India. He acquainted me about the famous Barasana holi or the "Latthmaar Holi" of Mathura. On that day, the village women are liberlized to take up cudgels against their menfolk, a right they exercise with all enthusiasm and shower colored water as an expression of joy.

Holi is fun for kids. All the kids in our resort had a water gun or balloon filled with water."Oh! where did you got this from" I asked a cute kid. " Uncle gave me! he pointed on to Karan. Personally, I feel from what I observed, that Holi is a festival for all ages, creed and color.