Story Characters
Name of the Demon?
Hiranyakashyap
This traditional sweet dessert is similar to ice cream and comes in a range of different flavours (almond, pistachio, rose, and chocolate) and can be topped with more sliced nuts.
Barfi
Name a traditional song used in Holi Celebrations:
Holiya Mein Ude Gulal
Rang Barse
Balam Pichkari
Holi Ke din
What does Holi celebrate the arrival of?
The spring season!
Name of the son?
Prahlaad
This creamy dessert originates from West Bengal and is like a type of sweet dumpling that is stuffed with creamed rice, saffron, and pistachio, and served with a side of cardamom cream.
Rasmalai
What is a Pichkari?
the name of the water gun used to fire colors
Which month does Holi occur in?
March
Name of Vishnu's Avatar?
Narsinha
This pancake-type sweet is usually made with semolina, flour, khoya, and cardamom that is then fried and soaked in sugar syrup, and served crispy on the outside and soft on the inside (there are banana, mango, and pineapple flavors)
Malpua
What is a traditional instrument used for Holi celebrations?
Dholak
Give 2 other names for Holi in different regions of India
Lathmar Holi in Mathura
Dol Purnima in West Bengal
Kaman Pandigai in Tamil Nadu
Manjal Kuli in Kerala
Phaguwa in Bihar
Hola Mohalla in Punjab
Name of the Demon's sister?
Holika
Name the milk-based drink that is popular in North India and made with almonds, saffron, milk, sugar, and a mix of different spices:
Thandai
What is Holika Dahan
People gather around the flames to sing, dance and pray for an evening ritual which reenacts the demise of a Hindu mythical demoness. All sorts of things are thrown into the fires, like wood, leaves and food, in a symbolic purge of evil and triumph of good.
Where did original Holi colors originate from? (hint: this has to do with ayurveda)
Traditionally, Holi colours were derived from natural sources like leaves, fruits, roots etc which are key ingredients of ayurveda medicines.
Describe the story of Krishna and Radha (in regards to Holi)
Krishna, a Hindu deity who is considered a manifestation of Vishnu, fell in love with the milkmaid Radha, but he was embarrassed that his skin was dark blue and hers fair. In order to rectify this, he playfully colored her face during a game with her
This sweet is a sort of dumpling that is crispy on the outside with a sweet khoya, coconut, or dried fruits stuffing on the inside (similar to sweet cornish pasties)
Gujiya
Name the colors usually used and their symbolism:
Blue is for Krishna, a Hindu god usually portrayed with bright blue skin. Green is for rebirth and new beginnings. Red symbolizes marriage or fertility. Yellow is linked with India's third caste, Vaisyas, or merchants.
What is Phalgun?
Holi falls on a full moon day in the month of phalgun, as per the lunar calendar. Phalgun generally occurs around February/March.