Contributed by Mridula M

Festivals in India are renowned for their exuberance and gaiety which are a part of most of their celebrations. Holi is undoubtedly supreme in this list –since there is no equivalent worldwide of a festival which is the embodiment of colour and good humour.
Holi is celebrated each year in March or April, based on the Hindu festivals calendar. It denotes the advent of spring and the harvest season, and is celebrated predominantly in Northern India, specially the states of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana.
There are many legends associated with this festival, the most popular ones being the legends of Holika and Prahlad. One of the unique aspects of this festival is the fact that there are no religious ceremonies which are associated with it. There are no special prayers or pujas which need to be performed on this day. There is a tradition of lighting a bonfire in the evening and gathering around it with your family and neighbours.
This festival is one of the greatest levellers in Hindu tradition. It is celebrated by smearing colour on the faces of your friends and family, and by throwing wet colour on them. Within a short while they all begin to look alike, and there is no bifurcation left of class and creed. This is one of the few occasions when people leave aside their animosities and their beliefs about caste and societal norms. Everyone joins in the exuberance of laughter and amusement, and it is very difficult to remain dignified and aloof when you are covered with colour from head to toe.
There are many traditions associated with food and drink during Holi. The most famous one is of consuming “Bhang “, the local intoxicating weed added to “Thandai “. This can lead to many hours of delusions and inebriation, hence it is not recommended for all the revellers. The other famous and far less intoxicating food specialities are the “Gujiya “of Northern India and the “Puran Poli “of Maharashtra. Both these sweets are an inherent part of every Holi celebration.
There are a few precautions which need to be taken when you are celebrating Holi. Lately there have been many news reports of colours being mixed with dangerous materials, leading to skin allergies and occasionally to loss of eyesight. Buy your colours from reputed places, and purchase only organic colours. If you are prone to skin allergies, avoid going out on this day.
It is a very messy festival, so if you are celebrating it with friends in your home, do make arrangements for everyone to have a quick shower after the festival is over. Otherwise you shall have coloured chairs and floors which have dyes all over them. Make sure that you have enough food for everyone, since a lot of energy is expended while playing this game.
Holi has always been an occasion to forget past grievances, and to renew old friendships. Just savour the moment, and for at least a day forget all about your dignity and rules of society. Have some fun with your family and friends, you will once again learn about the joy of living a carefree life – if only for a day.

Though tying your hair in braids is convenient,  leaving your hair open is fashionable and hides the defects on your face.  The loose hair can get into your eyes and make it difficult to see things clearly. It also gets entangled.  By using nice pins , you solve this problem and also try out the latest hairstyles.  Hairpins and bobby pins are available in tortoise shell and crystal stone to match your outfit.