How time flies! Forgive the cliche, but it really seems that way. Just a while back we were talking winter chill and New Year Eve bashes and now, it’s time for Holi! When it comes to the festival, there are two kinds of people. Ones who shy away from the gulal, lock themselves up indoors and detest the ‘dirty’ part. Then there are those who make most of the occasion. For them, there’s a thrill about dunking friends in water, rubbing gulal and making merry with the water balloons. Thankfully, when it comes to celebrating Holi in the city, the ‘make merry’ groups are in majority. “I am one of them,” city-based restaurateur Vipul Dua smiles to admit. For Dua, Holi is all about meeting up with friends and having a blast. “It’s an annual ritual where we all head to a friend’s farmhouse, pool in the food and drinks and dance our way to glory,” Dua reminisces. And things are no different this year either. “The DJ has been called in, white is the dress code and we are all set to play Holi with full fervour,” he adds looking forward to March 11, the official Holi-day!

Interestingly, Holi is one of those festivals that is best celebrated with friends and family. And for many that rule never changes. “The run-up to Holi is equally fun,” tells Anaheeta Mehra, Montblanc’s boutique manager in the city who has been getting together with friends first for an annual splash. “Like always, we are headed to Kasauli for a break and come back to celebrate Holi at a friend’s place,” informs Mehra. And the best part is that no one person gets to play host. “We all pitch in with different things, but the staple remains a friend’s biryani,” Anaheeta laughs to share.

It’s these happy moments that gets Munish Bajaj, owner of Tress Lounge chain of salons in the city, to look forward to Holi in a big way. “Everyone’s so rushed and busy that it’s festivals and occasions like these which bring people closer and together,” remarks Bajaj, who has sent out the invites for this year’s big party too. “We are a group of four to five friends and on Holi we get the families together over lunch and have a good time,” shares Bajaj, who will be hosting the get-together with his wife Shallu and sons, 11-year-old Tanish and six-year-old Ashmit.

That’s the best part about Holi, from friends to family, everyone’s invited and the age differences just wash away in the splashes of water and gulal. “Usually, it’s always been about getting together with friends but this time I am making sure it’s a day well spent with the family,” tells hotelier Amanbir Singh of the Hot Millions group who is a ‘Holi person’ and loves the colourful spirit of the same.