Obscenity

Traditional Hindu culture can be characterized as straightlaced, even prudish,
with regard to sexuality; any public
mention of sexuality is taboo in polite
society. The exception of ritually sanctioned obscenity comes before and during the festival of Holi, which usually
occurs in March. Holi is a “festival of
reversal,” in which most social taboos
are temporarily suspended. Holi comes
very close to the end of the lunar year,
and symbolizes the end of time, when all
norms and standards have been lost. In
recent times the license and lawlessness
associated with Holi have led many people to stop celebrating it in public, particularly in the cities.