Phagwa is a festival of colourful abeer, pichakaaree, chowtal, dance and joy. Phagwa bands, in earlier years, would parade the streets and visit homes. For the past 25 years, it was restricted to specially designated places. The location is usually at a mandir or a recreation ground and the celebration runs from early afternoon until late evenings. The activities are usually hosted by religious organisations and no alcoholic drinks are permitted.
Participants take along containers of coloured water to throw on each other.
Once one enters a compound designated for Phagwa, one is liable to get soaked by abeer. Abeer comes in an assortment of colours, but mainly in varying hues of red. At the end of the day however, purple is the predominant colour. Here are some helpful tips for attending Phagwa celebrations. TIPS Attend a venue that is alcohol free.