Holi is meant to be messy. Your portfolio isn't.

Summary: Holi is messy and loud, just like volatile markets. But the difference between fun and regret often lies in preparation. This piece uses the festival’s chaos to explore why investing is less about chasing excitement and more about protecting yourself before the colours fly. “Don’t wear that,” my mother warned as I stepped out in a white kurta. “It will get ruined.” “That’s the point,” I laughed. By 11 am, the neighbourhood had exploded into colour. Buckets of pink. Clouds of yellow. Someone had upgraded to neon blue this year. Children were running wild. Music was loud. Nobody was asking permission before smearing colour on your face. For a few hours, chaos was the point. And somewhere between dodging a balloon and trying to protect my phone, a thought struck me. Markets look exactly like this. From a distance, it looks festive, exciting and full of energy. Up close, it is messy, unpredictable and slightly overwhelming. And just like Holi, the people who walk into investing unprepared usually regret it later. Preparation decides how you feel at the end Before leaving home, my father had applied coconut oil to his hair and face. “Trust me,” he said. “Colours don’t stick as much.” That small act changes everything. Holi st

This article was originally published on March 03, 2026.