More than just colours: India’s festival of color also also has women ‘beating men’ and cannabis milkshakes

The festival of colours also brings a chance to drink Thandai- a milk-based drink prepared with bhaang, a derivative of cannabis. Although laws in India prohibit cannabis, bhaang is an exception. The cannabis plant is considered to be among important herbs with healing powers, according to ancient Indian texts. And the traditional recipes can also include flavourful ingredients like saffron, cardamoms, peppercorns, and almonds.

Aside from colours and even flowers, in Varanasi, considered one of the holy cities, has an ancient tradition of using ash from cremation pyres. People are known to mix colour and ash and the local tradition reminds people that death is not something to fear.

While many parts of Northern India usually see the ritual bonfire, Holika Dahan, on the eve of Holi featuring dances and chanting of hymns, the festivities can get a little dangerous in some parts of Rajasthan. The state is known to have had traditional bonfires that had people walk barefoot on the burning embers.

This truly bizarre tradition in the Baldeo town of Uttar Pradesh in North India witnesses extended celebrations held a day after the festival ends where men throw coloured water at women and the women in return can tear off their clothes — all in good humour.

The Hola Mohalla tradition in Punjab has been going on since the 1700s. The Sikhs during this tradition showcase feats of physical endurance through martial arts, wrestling, mock sword fight among others.