Holi is a festival filled with colours, joy, and delicious treats like gujiya, kaju katli and thandai. Holi marks the end of winter and beginning of spring, and it usually takes place in the latter half of February or the first half of March.
This festival is associated with gulals, which are colourful powders applied to each other. Traditionally, these gulals were made with skin-friendly natural materials.
However, as mass production took over and cost-cutting became a priority, the quality of these powders was affected. Harmful chemicals like lead oxide, cobalt nitrate, mercury sulphate, and copper sulphate began to find their way into the gulals. These chemicals may harm your health and dampen your festivities.
But don't worry - there are still numerous sustainable and natural gulals available on the market!
We've done the heavy lifting and curated for you a list of 5 natural gulals you can choose from for your Holi celebration.
Say goodbye to chemical-laced gulals and enjoy a safe and happy festival with your loved ones.
Contents:
5 Natural Gulal You Can Choose from for Holi 2023
1. Earth Inspired
- Ingredients: This natural gulal is made from edible grade maize starch, as well as natural ingredients like rose, marigold, tesu flowers, sandalwood, red sandalwood, and food colours.
- Characteristics: The gulal is finely filtered, which means it's smooth. It's also full of natural fragrances that smell great.
- Quality: This product is natural and chemical-free, so you can use it confidently and feel good about what you're putting on your skin.
- Packaging: The gulal comes in beautiful eco-friendly packaging, which makes it perfect for giving as a gift to your loved ones.
- Manufacturing: The natural gulal is made by Antarkranti, an organization that employs people who have been released from prison and gives them a chance to earn a living and get back on their feet. So when you use this product, you're not only celebrating special occasions but also helping to support a good cause.
2. itokri
- Ingredients: Each gulal in this combo is made with natural ingredients that are safe for your skin and the environment.
- Red Gulal: Made with non-toxic maize starch powder, roli, pomegranate & annatto seeds, and flowers (red rose).
- Blue Gulal: Made with non-toxic maize starch powder and flowers (blue orchid).
- Pink Gulal: Made with non-toxic maize starch powder and flowers (pink and red colour roses).
- Orange Gulal: Made with non-toxic maize starch powder and flowers (marigold and tesu).
- Yellow Gulal: Made with non-toxic maize starch powder and organic turmeric.
- Green Gulal: Made with non-toxic maize starch powder, palak leaves, and mehendi.
- Characteristics: The gulal is safe for your skin and the environment and rich in natural fragrance, making your celebrations all the more enjoyable.
- Quality: This product is made with natural and chemical-free ingredients, which means you can use it with peace of mind.
- Manufacturing: The brand behind this product empowers over 10,000 artisans by providing them with livelihood opportunities. So not only are you celebrating special occasions, but you're also positively impacting people's lives!
3. Nirmalaya
- Ingredients: These natural gulals are made with natural materials and recycled flowers, which means they're safe for your skin and the environment. The ingredients include:
- Corn starch
- Dried flower petals
- Neem
- Turmeric
- Palash
- Permitted food colours
- Blended essential oils
- Characteristics: The gulals are safe and rich in natural aromas and have a soft texture that feels great on your skin.
- Quality: This product is made with natural and non-toxic ingredients so that you can use it without any worries.
- Packaging: Each gulal is packed in a cylindrical box, making it a great gift option for your loved ones. The packaging is not only functional, but it also looks great.
- Manufacturing: The gulals are handmade by rural women who are now empowered to earn a livelihood and provide a better future for their children. So when you use this product, you're not only celebrating special occasions, but you're also making a positive impact on people's lives!
4. Phool
- Ingredients: This natural gulal is made with non-GMO cornstarch, henna powder, beetroot, neem, tulsi, rose, hibiscus, marigold, turmeric, indigo, and organic essential oils. All the ingredients are natural and safe for your skin and the environment.
- Characteristics: The texture of this natural gulal is smooth and non-abrasive, making it easy to wash off. It's also infused with essential oils, which give it a pleasant aroma.
- Quality: This product is natural and cruelty-free, and it's been certified COSMOS NATURAL by ECOCERT. It's also 'Fair for Life' certified, which means it's made in a socially responsible way.
- Packaging: Each gulal is individually packed, and the entire package comes in a sturdy rectangular box. The box also features portraits of the women artisans who made this natural gulal, a unique and considerate initiative by Team Phool.
- Manufacturing: This natural gulal is made by women artisans. It is a commendable step to bridge the gender gap in the workforce and enable rural women to earn a livelihood closer to their homes. By using this product, you're not only celebrating special occasions, but you're also supporting a great cause!
5. Phulwa
- Ingredients: This natural gulal is made with natural materials like flowers and vegetables. The ingredient of each gulal is:
- Pink Gulal - Rose petals, beetroot, neem leaves, and the natural fragrance of rose
- Green Gulal - Neem leaves, green vegetables, and the natural fragrance of green cardamom
- Yellow Gulal - Marigold, turmeric, neem leaves, and the natural fragrance of lemon peels
- Orange Gulal - Marigold, beetroot, turmeric, neem leaves, and the natural fragrance of orange peels
- Characteristics: Its natural ingredients make it gentle and safe to use on the skin.
- Quality: Made with natural materials and does not contain any harmful chemicals.
- Packaging: The gulals come in individual packaging that is convenient to carry and use.
- Manufacturing: The gulals are made by ex-ragpickers, giving them a chance to learn new skills and earn a decent livelihood. It's a great initiative towards social inclusion and environmental sustainability.
Make the Right Choice, the Natural Choice
Holi is a festival that brings joy, laughter, and colour into our lives. Unfortunately, the market is flooded with toxic gulals, which can cause health problems and ruin the spirit of the festivities.
Fortunately, there are several natural gulal options available that are made from non-toxic, natural and eco-friendly ingredients. Not only will they add colour to your celebration, but they also empower marginalised sections of society.
When you choose to celebrate Holi with natural gulals like these, you're safeguarding your skin, your health and that of your loved ones and positively impacting people's lives.
So go ahead and choose one of these amazing natural gulals for your Holi 2023 celebration. Celebrate the festival of colours, knowing that you are making a difference in the world, one colourful step at a time.
