Holi 2016: Top 10 tips for safe celebration of the festival of colours

Holi, the Hindu festival of colours, that marks the advent of spring and signifies the victory of good over evil, is celebrated by throwing coloured power and splashing water at people that often contain chemical dyes which can be harmful to the skin.

Holi is associated with the killing of Holika, the sister of demon king Hiranyakashipu. This year Holi will be celebrated on 23 March.

According to ancient mythology, the demon king had ordered Holika to kill his son Prahlad after he had refused to worship him. Prahlad, a worshipper of Lord Vishnu, was made to sit on a burning pyre along with Holika, who had been given powers that made her immune to fire. While both sat on the burning pyre, it was Holika that got burnt to death, marking the victory of good over evil.

IBTimes UK has compiled 10 safety tips for those celebrating the auspicious occasion.

Check out the top 10 tips below:

1. Celebrate Holi with natural home-made colours to avoid damage to skin.

2. Pink and red powder are the best options to celebrate the festival with as the colours can easily be taken off.

3. Make sure that your face is well creamed before and after the play.

4. Oil your hair well so as to keep the coloured powder from damaging your hair.

5. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from coloured powders purchased from markets that mostly contain chemicals and dyes.

6. If you are prone to skin allergies, avoid playing with coloured powder altogether.

7. As Holi is celebrated with coloured water and powder it is best to wear old clothes that you later would like to discard.

8. Protect your nails from the harmful chemical powder by applying your choice of nail paint.

9. Protect your lips by applying your favourite lip balm.

10. Wear a cap to protect a you hair and face from the harmful chemical powders.