Happy Festival of Colors?

March 18, 2008 1:12 PM

I want to impress my coworkers in Mumbai with my knowledge of Indian holidays.

I do freelance work with a company in Mumbai, and the people who work there (who seem to be from many different parts of India) sent me an e-card for Christmas. I'd like to return the favor for some Indian holidays - but I don't really know which ones are universally celebrated and worth sending a card for. The Festival of Colors appears to be coming up soon - would that be a good holiday to send a card for?

I seriously lack knowledge about Indian culture, so any suggestions (any holiday throughout the year) would be appreciated - thanks!

posted by mammary16 to work & money (8 comments total)

This Wikipedia entry is pretty helpful.
posted by nitsuj at 1:17 PM on March 18

I know that Diwali / Deepawali (different spellings) is a big one. There's traditional food/meal and lots of candles or little lamps.
posted by amtho at 1:25 PM on March 18

I think the Festival of Colors you're talking about is Holi. I've been to a Holi celebration a few times before, and its a lot of fun. I'm sure there is an appropriate e-card for it (something in the vein of throwing colored powder at the viewer). good luck
posted by daboo at 1:34 PM on March 18

Send cards (not e-cards please, they suck) for Diwali. This would also be a great occasion for a gift basket.
For Holi, host a party (especially if you have a large enough yard for festivities. Even better if your co-workers drink.)
I believe Durga Puja is pretty big in Mumbai and would be another reason to host a party/send cards for.
posted by special-k at 1:51 PM on March 18

The festival that most Indians send gifts and cards for is Diwali which happens in the Fall. Holi is a day for colorful revelry -- people spray colored water and throw colored powders on each other. Can be quite raucous. Most people don't send cards to each other for Holi but they might still appreciate the thought. It couldn't hurt :)
posted by peacheater at 2:02 PM on March 18

Another caveat: Holi is more popular in the north of India. Diwali is the more universally celebrated holiday -- often called Deepavali in the south. But don't worry about which spelling you use if you do send a card.
posted by peacheater at 2:03 PM on March 18

Thank you for the suggestions so far.

I should add that my only contact with my Indian coworkers is through email, as I live in Minnesota. :)
posted by mammary16 at 2:41 PM on March 18

The entire fall season is full of festivities. The three main big festivals in Mumbai are Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali and Holi. (Though Holi is supposed to be a festival of colours, sadly in modern times it has turned more of a festival of hooliganism, violence towards hapless train/bus commuters, and abusing women on the streets - I am from Mumbai, just felt like saying that). Just make sure your acquaintance is a Hindu, since the above three are all Hindu festivals. That Wikipedia link is good for other Indian festivals.

special-k: Durga Puja is the biggest festival of WestBengal (Kolkata) and eastern India. It's not celebrated in a big way in Mumbai. You can say that the equivalent of it in Mumbai is Ganesh Chaturthi (also popularly called Ganpati). Both involve massive statues of gods placed in huge lavish theme-style tents, called pandals in Hindi -- think NewOrleans style floats -- , rituals and darshans for days and then followed by submerging these idols in water.
posted by forwebsites at 3:09 PM on March 18