Petals to Gulal: Celebrate Holi with Natural Colours Made at Home

If Holi preparations usually mean rushing to buy packets of gulal, this year could be different. Across homes and community spaces, people are rediscovering the joy of making their own natural colours using flowers, vegetables and kitchen staples.

DIY gulal is not just a sustainability trend. It allows you to control what comes in contact with your skin while turning the festival into a more mindful and hands-on celebration.

From Personal Choice to Collective Shift

For many families, the move toward natural Holi colours began out of concern for skin health.

Eco-entrepreneur Shital Bavishi, founder of Beejum, shares that she started making gulal at home to protect her children from harsh chemical colours. Over time, the initiative expanded into a larger mission involving recycling temple flowers and supporting women’s livelihoods.

Model and dancer Sharmistha Biswas says watching colours being made from vegetables, turmeric and flowers changed her perspective. She notes that such colours wash off easily, are gentler on skin and reduce environmental pollution.

Entrepreneur Vaishali Sanganeria, founder of Friends The Natural Revolution & Infinite Abundance, recalls making her first batch at home after her children reacted to market-bought powders. Using turmeric, beetroot and dried petals, she created colours that were vibrant yet safe.

Students like Bhoomi Gupta represent a younger generation experimenting with the practice. From drying rose petals to blending turmeric with cornflour, the process feels both creative and reassuring.

Nature’s Palette: Slow but Rewarding

Making natural gulal requires patience, especially during drying and grinding.

Environmentalist Somini Sen Dua recommends using locally available ingredients and ensuring they are completely sun-dried before grinding. Fine sieving is essential to achieve a soft texture that is gentle on the skin.

Natural gulal may take more time than opening a store-bought packet, but it adds depth and intention to the festival.

Your Natural Holi Colour Guide

Here are simple plant-based options you can try:

• Yellow: Turmeric, marigold petals
• Pink: Rose petals, beetroot powder, light hibiscus blends
• Red: Kumkum, hibiscus petals, red roses
• Green: Spinach (palak), dried neem leaves
• Orange: Palash (Tesu) flowers, saffron-infused powder
• Blue: Aparajita (butterfly pea) flowers, dried jacaranda petals, cosmetic-grade natural indigo

The Fine Print of Homemade Gulal

To ensure safety and quality:

• Dry all ingredients thoroughly before grinding
• Use arrowroot or cornflour as a soft base
• Grind finely and sieve at least twice
• Avoid synthetic dyes or cheap colour additives
• Store in airtight containers away from moisture
• Start with small batches to test shade intensity

Homemade gulal may not be the quickest route to festival-ready colours, but it offers something deeper — a celebration rooted in care, sustainability and conscious choices.