Holi – Festival of Colours 16th- 17th March Holi is a spring festival also known as festival of colours, and sometimes festival of love. Holi is celebrated at the approach of vernal equinox on the Phalguna Purnima (Full Moon). The festival signifies, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair ruptured relationships. Entire country wears a festive look when it is time for Holi celebration. Womenfolk too start making early preparations for the Holi festival as they cook loads of gujiya, mathri and papri for the family and also for the relatives. There is a symbolic legend to explain why holi is celebrated. The word Holi originates from Holika, the evil sister of demon king Hiranyakashipu. King Hiranyakashipu had earned a boon that made him virtually indestructible. The special powers blinded him, he grew arrogant, felt he was God, and demanded that everyone worship only him. Hiranyakashipus own son, Prahlada, however, disagreed. He was and remained devoted to Vishnu. This infuriated Hiranyakashipu. He subjected Prahlada to cruel punishments, none of which affected the boy or his resolve to do what he thought was right. Finally, Holika - Prahladas evil aunt - tricked him into sitting on a pyre with her. Holika was wearing a cloak (shawl) that made her immune to injury from fire, while Prahlada was not. As the fire roared, the cloak flew from Holika and encased Prahlada. Holika burned, Prahlada survived. Vishnu appeared and killed Hiranyakashipu. The bonfire is a reminder of the symbolic victory of good over evil, of Prahlada over Hiranyakashipu, of fire that burned Holika. The day after Holika bonfire is celebrated as Holi. On the eve of Holi, called Chhoti or Small Holi people gather at important crossroads and light huge bonfires, the ceremony is called Holika Dahan. To render gratefulness to Agni, god of Fire, gram and stalks from the harvest are also offered to Agni with all humility. Ash left from this bonfire is also considered sacred and people apply it on their foreheads. People believe that the ash protects them from evil forces. Great excitement can be seen in people on the next day when it is actually the time for the play of colours. Bright colours of gulal and abeer fill the air and people take turns in pouring coloured water over each other. Children take special delight in spraying colours on one another with their pichkaris and throwing water balloons and passers by. After a fun filled and exciting day, the evenings are spent in sobriety when people meet friends and relatives and exchange sweets and festive greetings. It is said the spirit of Holi encourages the feeling of brotherhood in society and even the enemies turn friends on this day. People of all communities and even religions participate in this joyous and colourful festival and strengthen the secular fabric of the nation.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 10:16:31 +0000
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