With no big gatherings we decided to make the most out of Anika’s 2ndbirthday celebration at home! It was only us, me, Ani and Anika. 

 We decided to celebrate Anika's first Holi in India with my parents and cousins. in Prayagraj. Since the weather is always pleasant during this time I was sure Anika will have great family time. After thirteen hours of tiresome flight and another half hour of car ride through the bumpy lanes both of us regain our lost strength as countless hugs and love enveloped us.  

Holi, like many other Indian festivals, accords food a special status in its celebration with Gujiya being the prime food of the festival. Crescent shaped sweet with a thin pastry outside stuffed with soft ‘khoya’ (milk-fudge) mixture sprinkled with nuts inside. The same dumpling takes on different names, as one travels from one region to another.

 In the northern Indian state of Bihar ‘Pedakiya’ is made which consists of semolina and coconut filling, similarly in Maharashtra it gets a much of a flaky version and filled with ‘Khus-khus’ (Poppy seeds), coconut and nuts, which is similar to Goa’s ‘Nevri’. Rajasthan makes ‘Chandrakala’, meaning moon light, here the shape from a crescent changes to a full moon shape with similar gujiya filling of khoya, nuts and the enchanting flavours of crushed cardamom seeds and the knotted edges.

As a kid me and my siblings often enjoyed seeing our moms preparing the gujiya at midnight. That was the most happening hour of the season. This year Anika took special cooking lesson from her Grandma and I enjoyed seeing the innocent yet curious looks of her. 

There is a Neem tree that has been there since ages, beautiful representation of the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb is Chowk. It is said that in 1857, many who revolted against the British government, were hanged there openly. 

With changing times, Allahabad has developed at a rapid pace, but the chowk remains as it was. I have been coming here since childhood and every time I see the clustered buildings hanging onto each other for life it seems they will fall any day. Surprisingly, it is still stands strong and sturdy today.

So without further delay we put on our best dress and hopped on e-rickshaw to enjoy the Holi vibes in Chowk. I preferred to put Anika under my aunt's care since she is not so comfortable in crowd and smell of spices might give her endless sneeze.

While we cousins and the new couple strode  through the crowded street with customers thronging every market, sampling the fare of items along the way, we made sure we do not get lost(it is a real challenge to brave the crowd here and come back alive). 

Shopping here, in itself is an art and If one wants to know exactly how it’s done, one must leave their vehicle on stand and walk as there is very little scope of your vehicle moving at its normal speed or moving at all with some bargaining skills which you must learn it from my sisters. 

As chowk has a network of gullies that are always packed with people and shops you need to memorize all the lanes by heart(GPS is a super flop app here). There are a number of wholesale markets and due to this fact, the products are cheap compared to the other markets of the city. 

Sample the creamy lassi brimming with cream froths at Raja Ram Lassi Waalaa. Made from thick and fresh yoghurt churned to buttery goodness this Lassi in Allahabad should definitely be on your bucket list. Smaller than a college dorm this shop still attracts customers.

We packed some Hari namkeen's masala samosa, variety of sweets and namkeens for home. 

For real connoisseurs of food stop by for bhang kulfi or bhang thandai finishing it with kimam-khushbu paan at the end of the street.  

THE CELEBRATION

When it comes to Holi I was always the one who would lock up myself in room till noon to avoid the colour and mad crowd of my siblings and their friends. But this year I wanted to celebrate it with full enthusiasm since this was Manish's dearest wish to celebrate with us. Plus, we sisters gathered together like this after many many years. The morning filled with loud cheers and shrieks, so did a deluge of colored powder and soon I became one of them, totally unrecognizable, masked under layers of Gulal, clothes a myriad of colors.

Sweets were passed around followed by a platter filled with varied papads and gujiyas. Everyone hands quickly moved forward and the the last of the laddus disappeared. 

Did I forgot to mention the Bhaang, an intoxicating cannabis element mixed into food and drinks. The signature drink of the festival without which Holi has no life. We decided to keep it minimal and stay sober throughout the day. 

POST HOLI 

After the celebration men apply tilak on each other foreheads exchanging hugs symbolizing long and healthy relationships. While youngers touch the feet of their elders taking blessings and love, women invite over guests in the evening for feasts and family gathering.

We did a small photo photo session taking pictures of Anika with every member of the family which etched as the most beautiful evening in every one's heart.

BEST PLACE TO CELEBRATE HOLI

1. Mathura is the number 1 place to celebrate Laathmaar Holi where women beat men with sticks recreating a famous Hindu legend. According to the story, Lord Krishna is driven out of Barsana by his beloved Radha and her friends. 
2. Jaipur – The elephant festival is celebrated on the eve of Holi here
3. Udaipur, Hampi is India’s most beautiful city and the streets come alive during the festival.
4. Mumbai is another great place to celebrate with the Holi Pot competition to become the Holi King.
5. Delhi – The Holi Cow festival makes Delhi during this time.
6. In West Bengal – The focus more on celebrating the eternal romance of Radha and Krishna
7. Agra, in Uttar Pradesh also celebrates so if you find yourself exploring India’s most famous attraction, The Taj Mahal you can join in.