7 eco-friendly ways to celebrate Holi: Natural colors, flowers & cow dung holika dahan

This year, Holi brings a long weekend, perfect for fun, food, and celebrations. But while enjoying the festival, it is also important to make sure the environment does not suffer. Playing Holi responsibly is easy. Here¡¯s how you can celebrate without harming nature.

Use natural or homemade colours

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Chemical colors can irritate the skin and pollute water bodies. Instead, try making colors at home. For yellow, dry marigold petals or mix turmeric with gram flour. For red, grind dried hibiscus flowers or mix beetroot juice with cornstarch and let it dry. Green can be made from crushed spinach leaves, while blue comes from dried jacaranda flowers or blue pea flowers. These natural colors are skin-friendly and do not pollute water. In cities like Pune and Jaipur, organic Holi colors made from flowers and food ingredients are becoming popular in local markets. If you don¡¯t have time to make them at home, look for these organic colors in shops or online.

Reduce water wastage

Instead of playing with excessive water, opt for a dry Holi with colours and flowers. In Rajasthan, where water is scarce, many communities play Holi with gulal instead of using water. If you want to use water, play in a garden where plants can absorb the water. In some schools in Delhi and Bengaluru, children are encouraged to celebrate Holi with only dry colours and water-saving techniques. Using small pichkaris instead of large water buckets can also help reduce wastage.

Avoid plastic and non-biodegradable items

Plastic water balloons and synthetic decorations create a lot of waste. Instead, use biodegradable plates and cups made from leaves, which are widely available in markets. Many people in Mumbai now opt for clay cups instead of plastic ones for serving thandai. Avoid plastic gift wrappers and go for cloth or paper wrapping instead.

Bring change in materials

Plastic water balloons and synthetic decorations create a lot of waste. Instead, use biodegradable alternatives. In Kolkata and Chennai, traditional leaf plates and clay cups are used for serving Holi sweets and drinks instead of plastic ones. Many eco-conscious families now use fabric buntings instead of plastic decorations for Holi parties.

Choose an eco-friendly holika dahan

Holika Dahan often leads to unnecessary deforestation, with large amounts of wood being burned. Instead, opt for a smaller bonfire using dried cow dung cakes, which are traditionally used in villages across India. In Gujarat, many communities collect agricultural waste like dried leaves and husks for Holika Dahan instead of cutting fresh wood. Some temples and eco-conscious groups now organise symbolic Holika Dahan rituals with minimal firewood and more community prayers. If your area has multiple bonfires, try merging them into one to reduce overall wood consumption.

Celebrate with flowers

In places like Vrindavan and Barsana, Holi is played with flower petals instead of colors. You can do the same by using fresh marigold, rose, or jasmine petals, which can later be composted. In Kerala, some communities mix flower petals with organic gulal to make the celebration more vibrant. If fresh flowers are not available, use dried petals from old bouquets or temple offerings. Many people now collect discarded flowers from temples and reuse them for Holi instead of letting them go to waste.

Opt for sustainable gifting

Instead of giving plastic-wrapped sweets or synthetic colors, choose eco-friendly Holi gifts. Many shops in Delhi, Kolkata, and Bengaluru now sell organic Holi hampers with herbal gulal and natural skincare products. You can also gift potted plants, handmade soaps, or seed-infused greeting cards. Some NGOs in India encourage people to donate books, clothes, or food during Holi instead of spending on material gifts. Even homemade sweets packed in reusable glass jars make for thoughtful and sustainable presents.