Holi, the festival of colours, is one of the most vibrant and joyous celebrations in India and among Indian communities worldwide. Traditionally marking the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil, Holi is a time for laughter, togetherness, and, of course, colours. While deeply rooted in North India, the festival is now widely celebrated across India—including the South—and globally, wherever Indian culture thrives.
At Vibrant Living, we believe festivals like Holi offer beautiful opportunities to connect with nature, tradition, and wholesome food. However, modern Holi celebrations often raise concerns about synthetic colours and artificial ingredients in festive foods. This blog explores the significance of Holi, the benefits of natural colours, and a plant-based Thandai recipe that embodies the essence of this festival in the most nourishing way possible.
The Significance of Holi: A Festival of Renewal
Holi symbolizes renewal, abundance, and letting go—whether shedding the old season, outdated grudges, or negativity. Rooted in Indian mythology, the story of Holika and Prahlad represents the victory of faith and goodness over arrogance and evil. The Holika Dahan ritual bonfire, performed on the eve of Holi, burns away the past and welcomes a fresh start.
The festival also marks the arrival of spring when nature bursts into full bloom. The use of colors in Holi mimics blossoming flowers and fresh harvests, celebrating seasonal change. Traditionally, Holi connected people with nature, using colors derived from plants, flowers, and herbs that were safe for the skin and beneficial to health.
The Shift from Natural Colors to Artificial Ones
Holi was once played with natural colours sourced from flowers like Moduga (Butea monosperma), marigold, hibiscus, tesu, turmeric, neem, beetroot, and indigo. However, modernization led to synthetic chemical colors replacing these natural alternatives. The problems with synthetic colors include:
- Harmful toxins, heavy metals, and industrial dyes that cause skin allergies, respiratory issues, and long-term health risks.
- Pollution of water bodies and soil, affecting the environment long after the festival.
- The joy of Holi should not come at the cost of health and sustainability.
Thankfully, there is a revival of natural colors! More people now embrace plant-based and eco-friendly Holi powders, rediscovering the beauty of natural pigments. In our Instagram reel we showcase how to extract orange colour from Moduga flowers, a sustainable Holi tradition being revived.
A Festival is Not Complete Without Nourishing Food
Food is central to Indian festivals, and Holi is no exception. Thandai, a traditional festive drink, is synonymous with Holi, especially in North India. This aromatic blend of nuts, spices, and floral ingredients is known for its cooling and digestive properties—perfect for balancing the seasonal heat.
However, many Thandai recipes today contain refined sugar and dairy, making them less healthy and unsuitable for plant-based lifestyles. At Vibrant Living, we celebrate life with good food, so we’ve crafted a plant-based Thandai recipe that retains its richness and tradition while staying dairy-free and wholesome.
Our Plant-Based Thandai Recipe
Ingredients:
- ½ cup almonds (available at Vibrant Living)
- ¼ cup cashews (available at Vibrant Living)
- 2 tbsp melon seeds
- 2 tbsp poppy seeds
- 2 tbsp pistachios (optional)
- 10-12 black peppercorns (sourced responsibly by Vibrant Living)
- 1 tbsp fennel seeds
- 2 tbsp rose petals or rose water
- ½ tsp cardamom powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon powder
- A pinch of saffron
- 4-5 dates (for natural sweetness)
- 3-4 cups chilled almond or cashew milk (or any plant-based milk)
Instructions:
- Soak the nuts and seeds overnight for easier blending and digestion.
- Blend everything with a little plant-based milk until smooth.
- Strain if needed or enjoy creamy and thick for more texture.
- Chill and serve with saffron strands and crushed rose petals on top.
This dairy-free Thandai is packed with good fats, protein, and antioxidants from nuts, spices, and flowers—making it both a festive delight and a nourishing drink.
Regional Variations & The Role of Bhang
In some parts of North India, especially Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, Thandai is sometimes infused with bhang (cannabis leaves), traditionally used in Ayurveda for medicinal benefits. However, as a controlled substance, many prefer a nutrient-dense, spice-infused Thandai without bhang, which is equally enjoyable!
For variations, try adding fresh mango puree for a fruity twist or blending in tender coconut water & for an even lighter, hydrating version.
Celebrate Holi the Natural Way!
At Vibrant Living we help you celebrate festivals with mindfulness, connection, and nourishment. Whether it’s playing Holi with natural colors like the beautiful Moduga flower or indulging in a plant-based Thandai, tradition can be honored while making conscious, eco-friendly choices.
Shop the Best Ingredients at Vibrant Living
We take pride in sourcing high-quality almonds, cashews, black pepper, cardamom, and more—perfect for making Holi special. Visit Vibrant Living for clean, organic, and thoughtfully sourced nuts, spices, and dried fruits to elevate your festive experience.
What’s Next? Watch Try!
- Watch our Instagram reel on extracting natural color from Moduga flowers for an eco-friendly Holi.
- Check out our YouTube video for a step-by-step plant-based Thandai recipe
- Tag us @VibrantLivingbySrideviJasti on Instagram when you try our Thandai!
Let’s make Holi greener, cleaner, and vibrant!
