Holi celebration starts with Holika Dahan. This year Holi will be celebrated on 4th March. From a religious point of view, Holika Dahan is not just a tradition of burning girls. Holika Dahan symbolizes the victory of good over evil. This ritual performed on the full moon night of Phalgun month also gives the message of brotherhood. It is said that in the fire of Holika, old bitterness and negativity in relationships also gets burnt to ashes. On the next day of Holika Dahan, people prepare tasty food items at home and serve them to the guests.
Colors are also applied to each other on Holi. There is a wide variety of colors available in the market, but every year the question arises whether these herbal colors are adulterated. In the name of herbal colors, such things are sold in the market which cause serious harm to both skin and body.
It is said that the colors are being prepared from flowers whereas this is not the case. Many researches have also revealed what ingredients are mixed in these colours. Also know how adulteration of chemicals in herbal colors can be identified?
Research on adulteration of colors
According to NCBI, colors are used extensively during Holi in India. Research says that while making these colours, a lot of chemical called endotoxin is added to it. Apart from this, heavy metals like lead are also added due to which there is a risk of many health problems. In old times, these colors were made by drying flowers. NCBE report says that now due to cutting of trees and large scale production, adulterated colors are being made.
Such synthetic colors are sold as herbal colors. In many shops this color is sold openly and their shopkeepers do not even know where it is made, what is its MRP and what things have been adulterated in it. In the pursuit of profit, colors are tampered with a lot across the country.
Identify adulteration in herbal colours. how to check fake herbal colors
Identify by brightness- If fake or adulterated herbal color looks too shiny then it may be adulterated. Naturally made colors do not shine. If it is shining too much then understand that aluminum or glass powder has been mixed in it. Applying this type of gulal or color on the skin can cause cuts.
Identify by smell- Natural gulal has no smell and even if it does smell, it smells of flowers or herbs. But chemical or adulterated colors smell like kerosene, petrol or any strong chemical. This method shows that it is completely synthetic. Applying this type of color not only harms the skin but can also cause respiratory problems.
Check by putting it in water- You can also take the help of water to check whether the color or gulal you are going to use is adulterated or not. Take water in a glass and add some color to it. The real color gets mixed completely and the adulterated things settle down. If there is no garbage or powder sitting in the water then it is completely safe. The color made from chemicals starts floating on the surface of the water or gets settled at the bottom of the vessel.
Whenever you are buying color or gulal, read the information given on its packet properly. Natural, organic or eco-friendly should be written on the packet. Avoid buying very dark or dark colors as these have the highest chances of adulteration.