It happened early in the morning- I was walking out of the house with Tara and little Rituu came along with her paint and painted me pink. Bhaju, the gardener followed, ringing my doorbell and while it is done with reverence, a touching of my feet first, he proceeded to dab bright pink paint all over my face and neck.

This is the first Hindu festival in the Hindu calender and marks the end of winter, we have put away the duvets and hot water bottles this very weekend and enjoyed a wonderful party in the garden.

The Holi festival commemorates the victory of good over evil, with the burning and destruction of the demoness Holika. Holi got its name as the “Festival of Colors” from Lord Krishna, a re-incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who liked to play pranks on the village girls by drenching them in water and colors.