After a long time I found myself at a Holi celebration in Maharashtra. At Harali, it is a grand affair.

A big pyre made with firewood and dried coconut branches was ready. It was lit after performing a Puja. After a minute or so the dry coconut branches ignited sending spectacular sparks in the night sky. Boys ran around the fire screaming traditional couplets in a call and response format, using pent up energy and venting their frustration.

The Anandshala students staying at Harali, on a piece of paper wrote down feelings, memories, habits or anything they wanted to discard, things that did not serve them anymore. These were attached to the pyre before the ritual. The girls fixatadely looked at the pyre and saw the discards burn away.

I wonder what they wrote. Whatever it was, I hope it was a cathartic experience.