15 Ways to Have a Safe and Clean Holi

by sunil gavaskar clan member

It’s the month of March and people all over India are in anticipation of the first major festival of the year 2017, Holi. This festival is of such an importance to people that they forget the scorching heat of March and throng the streets with merriment and enthusiasm. They find joy in smearing their loved ones with myriad colored gulals or colors, and the vibrancy of these colors make a bright day even brighter.

Holi 2017 will be celebrated with pomp and gaiety on March 13 and like previous years even this year every nook and corner of the nation will be brimming with rapturous and colorful faces. And, like every year before, these people will be trying to get the color off their clothes and skin. It is always best to take precautions beforehand and this year should be no different. Here is what every Holi enthusiast should do to have a safe and clean Holi: -

1.       Applying mustard oil on the body the day before Holi is a common practice in North India. By doing so the colors on the face, hands and legs can be removed without any difficulty. This oil can also be applied on the hair to avoid colors on the scalp. Even coconut oil can be applied on the hair to prevent damage to the hair. It is relatively easy to wash off colors from an oily hair.

2.       In case you have an aversion to be seen outside with oil, certain lotions or body cream (cold cream, Vaseline, olive or coconut oil) can also be used to protect your skin. To decrease the chemical effect of gulals, you can also apply sunscreen lotion. It not only protects you from the colors but also from the scorching March heat.

3.       Sunscreen lotion should be applied near your eyes (carefully) and on the eyelashes as well, so as to protect the color particles from entering the eyes.

4.       After celebrations, wash your eyes with water; put rose water in your eyes, and take rest or an afternoon nap. You will feel fresh after you get up.

5.       Although a cliché which is repeated every year people tend to forget that chemical colors are harmful for the skin and eyes and should be avoided. You can advice your friends and family members against buying and applying chemical colors.

6.       Colors getting into your eyes are a common thing during Holi. It is a good practice to keep rinsing the eyes with clean water every time you get a chance. However you must never rub your eyes with color inside them as it will aggravate the irritation.

7.       Color on the face can be removed by gently rubbing it with a face-wash. Avoid using soaps to get rid of the color and do not try to rub them off roughly.

8.       Another common practice is to apply Multani Mithi on the skin while bathing. Soak Multani Mithi before you take a bath and apply it on the colored portion of the body. Wash it off after it dries. This method also called mud pack treatment is effective in removing color from the body.

9.       Kerosene is another strong agent that is used to get obdurate colors off you. Take a piece of cloth and pour a little kerosene on it and apply it only on the part of the body with colors that are hard to get rid of.

10.   After bathing apply cream or body lotion.

11.   During Holika dahan and Holi take care of your nails by cutting it short. Applying nail polish also safeguards the tone of the nails.

12.   Avoid light colored clothes. Also avoid watches and jewelry.

13.   A paste made from sandalwood, gram flour and turmeric, called Ubtan can remove the colors.

14.   Applying a paste of curd and lime juice mixture is effective in removing the colors.

15.    A paste of milk cream in rose water, gram flour and sweet oil can be used as a face mask after celebrating Holi.

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Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

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