The first round of Holi is played with dry powders and then the next with wet colours. Holi ushers in spring, a season associated with love and wellbeing. Sweets, special dishes and ornate cuisines colourfully decorate eachand every house where Holi is celebrated.

There are many legends associated with Holi. The most popular one is: Brahma granted Hiranyakashipu, the king of demons, a boon that made it impossible for him to be killed. After his long penance he demanded that he not be killed “during day or night; inside the home or outside, not on earth or on sky; neither by a man nor an animal; neither by astra nor by shastra”. His arrogance reached the zenith, and he attacked the Heavens and the Earth. He wanted people to stop worshipping gods and start praying to him.

Prahlad, his son, was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. In spite of several threats from Hiranyakashipu, Prahlad continued offering prayers to Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu tried several times to kill his son, but failed. He once ordered Prahlad to sit on a pyre on the lap of his sister, Holika. Now, she could not die by fire by virtue of a shawl which would prevent fire affecting the person wearing it. After the fire was lit, the shawl flew from Holika, who was then burnt to death, while Prahlad survived unharmed. The shawl moved to cover him. The burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi. On Holi Day, Holika Dahan is undertaken, where her effigy is burnt.

Lord Vishnu came in the form of a Narasimha (who is half-man and half-lion) and killed Hiranyakashipu at dusk (which was neither day nor night), on the steps of the porch of his house (which was neither inside the house nor outside) by restraining him on his lap (which is neither in the sky nor on the earth) and mauling him with his claws (which are neither astra nor shastra).

Every year, different states of North and Western India vie to outdo each other in the celebration of Holi. Gulal Goti, a balloon filled with colours, was very famous with the royal families of Rajasthan. Nowadays, even the common man plays with it. West Bengal’s specialty is Bhang Holi. After or during the celebrations, Bhang (a mixture of milk, almonds and marijuana) is drunk by the people. It is very much permitted by the government and has several religious associations and mentions.

As with all festivals now, Holi, too, is being increasingly celebrated by people across all religions and regions. South Indian, too, celebrate it with much pomp.

The stay in this bungalow is just fascinating. You can watch shrimp farming taking place in the nearby paddy fields, visit mangroves in Kumbalangi and go for nature walks in the evenings.

Do not miss the Chinese Fishing Nets and other beauties at Fort Cochin, which is a half-an-hour ride from here.

Visit : www.homestayscochin.com, www.riversideheritage.com

As you walk down the half-km-long trail to the falls, you can smell coffee and spices all around. The roar of the falls from afar will entrance you. Several small streams come together in the winter and monsoon to gush down this waterfall. It then joins the Kaveri river.

Madikeri and nearby towns have a lot of spots that will capture the tourists’ eye. Old forts, museums and wildlife sanctuaries are some options you can explore. Those who love to trek can try the Brahmagiri peak or Tadiandamol peak.

Coorg is only five hours from Bangalore and four hours from Kannur in Kerala. There are buses and taxi jeeps plying this route. Quaint homestays make for comfortable accommodation.