Holi is one of the most popular festivals in India that revels the spirit of love, unity and togetherness. On this day, people cover each other in colours and add vibrancy in each other’s lives. However, Holi has a deeper significance, which makes it worthwhile to celebrate. It is an occasion to rejoice in new beginnings – the beginning of the spring season and the triumph of good over evil.

It is celebrated every year on Purnima or the day of the full moon. It is a two-day festival and the day before Holi is known as Holika Dahan. On this day, a puja (or prayer) is held around a bonfire. The purpose of the bonfire is purging all negativity and evil. The Holi celebration takes place the following day, right after the full moon. The exchange of bright colours represents the interchange of happiness and love.

Every region of India celebrates Holi according to its own customs. For instance, Uttar Pradesh is renowned for its Holi celebrations. The liveliest Holi celebrations take place in Mathura, which is also the home of Lord Krishna. Days are spent celebrating here, with a plethora of customs, cultural events, and parades filling the streets with joy and happiness. In Vrindavan, spectacular celebrations unfold on the banks of Ganges and the streets of the city. Vrindavan is also known for Phoolon Wali Holi (Holi celebrated with flower petals). In general, the northern part of India hosts a colourful Holi celebration.

In east India, Holi is celebrated as Basanta Utsav (spring festival). In Bengal, it is known as Dol Yatra where the idols of Radha and Krishna are placed on swings and worshipped accompanied by singing of bhajans (devotional songs) and playing of colours. In Manipur, Holi is known as Yaosang in which folk dances and songs are performed under the moonlight.

Down south, the celebrations include exchange of sweets and are often limited to worshipping Lord Krishna and other temple customs.

People normally start preparing for Holi a few days in advance by purchasing sweets, water guns and gulaal (coloured powder). On the day of the festival, individuals don white attire and congregate at gatherings, in public areas or in their homes to play with colours.

What you can do this Holi

To make the most of Holi celebration and make it memorable, here are a few things that you can do:

Celebrate with family and friends

You can make this day cherishable by spending quality time with friends and family. Tune in with the festive spirit by smearing gulaal and splashing coloured water on each other. Dance to the beats of music and relish traditional dishes together. Having a good time with near ones on this day can create memories that you can cherish for a lifetime.

Celebrate by making a difference

While you rejoice with your loved ones, amplify happiness and love this Holi. You can make a difference in the lives of those with limited resources. For instance, children with water guns and colourful faces are the main attraction of Holi celebration, but many children do not have the privilege to be a part of this happiness. However, you can add colours into their lives with your compassion and generosity. You can spend time with these children and celebrate the festival. This Holi, you can also donate towards their food and education to have a long-term impact.

Colour a child’s life with Akshaya Patra

This Holi, you may make a commitment to give this day a new purpose by supporting our efforts to end classroom hunger. As we talk about fighting the evil during Holi, we want to draw attention to how critical it is to end classroom hunger. Every child enrolled in government school benefits from the mid-day meals they receive from Akshaya Patra under the government’s PM POSHAN Abhiyaan (formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal or MDM Programme).

To ensure that a child receives a high-quality education and that the learning curve is upward and continuous, adequate nutrition is crucial. Children’s hunger in the classroom is satisfied by a balanced diet, which also aids in their ability to concentrate on their studies and extracurricular activities. In addition to improving socialisation, access to healthy food solves the problem of childhood malnutrition. By encouraging parents to send their children to school on a regular basis, a healthy mid-day meal also raises enrolment and retention rates in schools.

You have the opportunity to nourish and nurture a child this Holi by contributing ₹1,500. You can choose to sponsor a child’s meals for a whole year by contributing this amount. The good news is that you can benefit from a 50% tax exemption on your donation under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act.

This Holi, as you enjoy the festival of colours, please think about brightening a life by making a donation to feed the children.

Smear Colours. Share Happiness. Feed Children. Donate Online. Save Tax.

Giving on a festival is considered auspicious. Giving on Makar Sankranti all the more so.

On one hand, it brings happiness and prosperity to the one who gives. On the other, it ensures that everyone has enough during the festive season and beyond. In Hindu tradition, there is no better daan than Annadaan—a simple act of kindness that translates to access to food for those in need.

When you donate to The Akshaya Patra Foundation, you ensure that children have access to daily nutritious mid-day meals and quality education.

Makar Sankranti – A Festival Celebrated Across India

Makar Sankranti is a major harvest festival celebrated by Hindus across India. It marks the transition of the Sun from the zodiac of Sagittarius (Dhanu rashi) to the zodiac of Capricorn (Makar rashi). Thus, the name Makar Sankranti. It also marks the end of winter and the arrival of spring. It almost always falls on 14 January as per the Gregorian calendar with the exception of a leap year when it falls on 15 February.

As 2024 is a leap year, Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on 15 February.

The term Makar Sankranti is popular in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, West Bengal (or Poush Sankranti), Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. It is simply called Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, whereas Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu in Assam, Uttarayana in Gujarat and Pongal or Thai Pongal in Tamil Nadu.

A joyous and vibrant festival, Makar Sankranti is celebrated by flying kites to the cries of Kai Po Che, lighting bonfires, singing folksongs, indulging in folk dances and visiting melas (fairs). People distribute til ke laddu, rice khichdi, puran poli, undhiyu, pongal, coconut chikki, payasam and other such delicacies to celebrate the festival.

Bhogi and Lohri

Across the country, festivities last for two to four days depending on the region. In Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra, the first day of the four-day Makar Sankranti festival is known as Bhogi and typically celebrated by lighting bonfires. Similarly, in Punjab and Haryana, the festival of Lohri is celebrated a day before Makar Sankranti by lighting bonfires, singing, dancing and eating festive food.

Makar Sankranti with Akshaya Patra

A Bengaluru-based NGO, Akshaya Patra serves as the implementing partner of the Government of India’s flagship school feeding programme, the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan [formerly the Mid-Day Meal Scheme]. The Foundation serves nutritious mid-day meals to over 2 million children in 15 states and 2 union territories with the support of the Central Government, state governments, corporate partners and individual donors. Your donation to Akshaya Patra… a single act of generosity translates to yearlong access to nutritious food and quality education to children in government schools.

You can donate to Akshaya Patra online. Donations to NGOs registered under the Income Tax Act are eligible for deduction under Section 80G of the IT Act.

Celebrate Makar Sankranti with Akshaya Patra beneficiaries this year. Online donations by generous individuals such as yourself help us ensure their continued access to nutrition and education, thus paving the way for them to carve a bright future for themselves, their families and the country as a whole.

Together, let’s ensure that children in India don’t have to choose between food and education… let’s ensure that their dreams soar high like the colourful kites dotting the sky this festive season.