As we say bye to the winter blues, we Indians prefer to do it in style! Holi is the festival that marks the end of spring and the beginning of summer. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and high spirits all over the country. The celebrations vary from state to state, yet the common sense of good over evil prevails. The festivities last for 3 days. Beautiful colors are smeared on each other’s faces and a variety of dishes are prepared and shared among family and friends. Holi is incomplete without Thandai, made of Bhaang leaves. This intoxicating drink is a favorite among the festivities. There are many stories on the origin of Holi, yet this beloved festival is known as the ‘festival of color’.

This Holi, make it a little different, a little more cautious. Choose eco-friendly colors! These are easy to make, with minimum cost and this is great for the environment. The generic colors are very harmful to your skin and the environment. These are few options if you want to make your own eco-friendly colors at home. It will be a fun activity for the whole family!

Hibiscus

The hibiscus is used in beauty since ancient times. The Egyptians believed it is a flower of the Gods. It has proven medicinal and beauty benefits. The hibiscus gives a beautiful red color. You can make dry powder and well as watercolor.

To make Red color you need:

1. Hibiscus flower
2. All-purpose flour
3. Water

Dry the Hibiscus flower prior to 3 days. Take the dried flowers to grind them to powder form. Add some all-purpose flour to the mixture to make it more useable. If you want to make watercolor, boil the Hibiscus in water. Add the concentrated mixture to a bucket of water.

Beetroot

Beet is a fun vegetable to have in your salad. This root vegetable can make a great red-violet color. This vegetable gives a range of colors. When used in powder form, it gives a violet-pink color and when used as a watercolor it gives a beautiful red-violet color.

To make Violet color

1. Water
2. Beetroot

Cut the beets into small slices. Add water and beets to a saucepan and bring it to boil. Once you have a concentrated liquid, add water to the mixture according to your liking of the color

To make Pink color

1. Beetroot

Slice the beetroot into thin pieces and sundry them for a week. Once the beets are completely dehydrated, grind them into a fine powder. This powder will be a peppy pink color.

Butterfly pea plant

The butterfly pea flower is a lovely blue in color. These plants can be easily found in the Asian continent. These are edible flowers and the dried petals are used to brew tea. This brew can be severed with ice cubes and some honey. When it comes to colors, you can get a range of shades from bright blue to indigo.

To make the blue color you need

1. Butterfly pea flower
2. Water

Sundry a handful of butterfly pea flowers, add them to boiling water. Simmer the mixture till you get the desired color. Add the color to a tub of water.

To make the indigo color you need

1. Butterfly pea flower
2. All-purpose flour

Take some sundried butterfly pea flowers and grind till it is powder. Mix all-purpose flour into the mixture and you get a beautiful indigo color.

Turmeric

Turmeric is the most vibrant naturally occurring color. It gives a bright yellow tint on the skin. Turmeric roots are known for their medicinal properties. It is anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. It is great for any kind of skin problem. This is a great alternative for Holi colors.

To make the yellow color you need

1. Turmeric roots

Grind the turmeric roots into a smooth powder form. And you can use it as is. If you want, add the turmeric to the water.

Flame of the forest

Flame of the forest is a bright and vibrant flowering tree. It is in full bloom during spring. It is a beautiful sight for the eyes. It has cultural significance in many parts of the country. You can make a lively orange shade.

To make the orange color you need

1. Flame of the forest flowers
2. All-purpose flour

Grind the dried flowers of the flame of the forest into a smooth powder. To this add some all-purpose flour.

Coffee

Coffee is great for the skin, not just if the fragrance is alluring but it works wonders for the skin. It has been used in beauty regimes for years. This Holi why not try something new; use coffee color to replace your usual browns.

To make the Brown color you need

1. Coffee

This process is as simple as it gets, adds some coffee in water (as required). You can make different shades of brown according to your liking. You can also add some coconut oil to coffee and use it to smear on each other.

I hope you have fun trying out these eco-friendly DIY Holi color options. Remember to stay safe and enjoy yourself this season of colors. Do your bit and switch to eco-friendly festive ideas. Do not forget to share your Holi experiences with us!