A riot of colours, feasting on mithai and gujiya, and having a water balloon/pichkari fight with friends — for most of us, these are the essentials of a great Holi.
However, environment warriors have been urging everyone to curb mindless waste of water during the festival and in recent years, many schools and housing societies have adapted the concept of a ‘water-free Holi’.
We ask celebrities what they think of the idea.
Shaina NC
I am completely for a water-free Holi. We need to change with changing times. The conservation of our natural resources, like water, is important not just to the environment, but also as a social responsibility.
I’d also urge everyone to use eco-friendly colours. Dilip Joshi
Holi is not about using lots of water and chemical colours, it’s about meeting friends and family and forgetting sadness and enmity.
I don’t think a water-free Holi will diminish the essence of the festival. Every year, I play Holi with flowers in the Swami Narayan Temple at Bhavnagar, Gujarat.
There’s always a huge crowd and we all celebrate with flowers and sing bhajans. Since we have shortage of water in India, I urge people to observe a water-free Holi. 
Shweta Tiwari
I am not in favourof or against a water-free Holi.
When the tradition began, the festival used to be celebrated with flowers and later, with gulaal.
Today it’s about water balloons and rain dance. I hope people understand the true meaning of the festival.
Shaina NC
I think playing water-free Holi is a good initiative, but I don’t think it’s something we can achieve.
It’s like putting up signs that say ‘no smoking’ and ads talking about the effects of smoking and expect people to quit.
That can never happen, but I am in favour of playing Holi without water. I do it myself.
Ankita Lokhande
I used to like playing Holi with water, but with time I realised that it is not essential.
We can enjoy Holi with equal merriment even with dry colours.
I feel everybody should opt for water-free Holi and use organic gulaal to ensure that they do not damage their skin. I love to indulge in the savouries such as gujiyas and jalebis.
Shaina NC
I think playing water-free Holi is a good initiative, but I don’t think it’s something we can achieve.
It’s like putting up signs that say ‘no smoking’ and ads talking about the effects of smoking and expect people to quit.
That can never happen, but I am in favour of playing Holi without water. I do it myself.
Ankita Lokhande
I used to like playing Holi with water, but with time I realised that it is not essential.
We can enjoy Holi with equal merriment even with dry colours.
I feel everybody should opt for water-free Holi and use organic gulaal to ensure that they do not damage their skin. I love to indulge in the savouries such as gujiyas and jalebis.