Holi
Holi
The Festival of Colours,
Holi, as the name suggests, is the most vibrant and jubilant of all Hindu Festivals.
It marks the cessation of the chilly Winters and onset of the warm Spring season.
People play with colors, meet and welcome one another, and create new beginnings on this lively day.
But, one as might be thinking, why, of all things, do we celebrate Holi?
Well, here’s all you need to know about this colorful celebration, including what to expect for the upcoming Holi in India.
When does the Holi Festival Take Place?
Holi is a Hindu festival that takes place on the last full moon day of the lunar month (Phalguna), according to the Saka Era, which falls towards the end of March.
That being said, the exact date for Holi (depending on the English calendar) varies every year.
The Importance of Holi
Despite being such a vibrant holiday, Holi has a number of features that make it so important in our lives.
Though they may not be immediately evident, a closer examination and some thinking will show the significance of Holi in more ways than one.
There are numerous reasons why we should thoroughly enjoy the holiday and cherish the causes for its celebrations, ranging from socio-cultural to religious to biological.
So, when it comes to Holi, don’t hold back and enjoy the celebration to the fullest by taking part in every minor ritual associated with the event with zeal.
Mythological Importance
Holi brings us closer to our religion and mythology because it is mainly a celebration of the festival’s different legends.
Of which, probably the fable encircling Bhakt Prahlad and Hiranyakshayap is the most popular one.
According to mythology, there once lived a devilish and powerful monarch named Hiranyakshyap, who regarded himself as a God and demanded that everyone worship him. Prahlad, his son, began to worship Lord Vishnu, much to his chagrin.
Hiranyakshyap urged his sister, Holika, to enter a burning fire with Prahlad in her lap, as she had a boon to enter fire undamaged, to get rid of his kid.
According to legend, Prahlad was saved because of his unwavering devotion to the Lord, whereas Holika paid the price for her dark ambition – by burning to ashes! And this mythology is symbolic for the ritual of “Holika Dahan”, where a fire is lighted signifying the burning of Holika and her evil intentions, while Prahlad was saved by the Lord’s protection.
Holi is celebrated as a large event in Uttar Pradesh’s Braj area (where Lord Krishna grew up) until the day of Rangpanchmi, in honor of Krishna and Radha’s devout love.
As the local legend goes, Krishna developed a peculiar blue skin color as an infant after drinking poisoned breast milk from the she-demon Putana.
As He grew up into a young adult, he would often wonder if he would ever be loved by the fair – skinned Radha and other ladies of the village due to his dark complexion. Krishna’s mother gave in to his desperation and told him to go paint Radha’s face any color he pleased.
As a result, when Krishna painted Radha, they became a couple, and people have been playing with colors on Holi ever since.
According to legend, Holi commemorates the death of Ogress Pootana, who attempted to kill Krishna’s newborn by feeding him toxic milk.
Lord Shiva and Kaamadeva is another Holi mythology that is particularly famous in Southern India.
People in the south commemorate the sacrifice of Lord of Passion Kaamadeva, who risked his life to free Lord Shiva from meditation and preserve the world, according to tradition.
The narrative of Ogress Dhundhi, who used to bother youngsters in the kingdom of Raghu and was eventually chased away by the children’s pranks on Holi day, is also popular.
Children continue to pull pranks and hurl abuse at the time of Holika Dahan, demonstrating their believe in the legend.
Cultural Importance
The celebration of Holi’s different legends reassures people of the truth’s strength, as the moral of all of these traditions is the ultimate victory of good over evil.
Extreme devotion to god pays off, according to the mythology of Hiranyakashyap and Prahlad, since god always accepts his true follower into his shelter.
All of these legends encourage people to live morally upright lives and to believe in the virtue of honesty.
This is especially vital in today’s world, when so many individuals engage in unethical behavior for monetary gain and torture those who are truthful.
Holi encourages individuals to trust in the virtues of honesty and truthfulness, as well as to battle evil.
Furthermore, Holi is observed at a time of year when the crops are in full bloom and people anticipate a bountiful harvest.
This provides individuals a reason to celebrate, be cheerful, and immerse themselves in the Holi spirit.
Social Importance
Holi contributes to the unification of society and the strengthening of our country’s secular foundation.
Non-Hindus also participate in the festival since everyone enjoys being a part of such a colorful and joyful event.
Furthermore, it is a Holi tradition that even rivals become friends on Holi, erasing any feelings of misery that may exist.
Furthermore, on this day, there is no distinction between rich and poor, and everyone celebrates the festival together in a spirit of unity.
People visit friends and family in the evenings to offer gifts, sweets, and pleasantries.
This aids in the restoration of relationships and the strengthening of emotional links between individuals.
Biological Importance
It’s worth noting that the Holi celebration is significant for our lives and bodies in many ways other than delivering joy and fun.
We owe it to our forebears to begin the tradition of celebrating Holi at such a scientifically precise time.
Also, thank you for making the festival so enjoyable.
How is Holi celebrated?
Holi is a colorful holiday that includes a number of rituals:
Preparing the Holika Pyre
A few days before the festival, people begin collecting flammables like Wood, Cow Dung Cakes, splinters, etc. for the Bonfire.
These flammable items are collected together and then stacked to be lit in public places like colonies, parks, open markets, community centers and other open places.
At the top of the pyre, an effigy of Holika is placed, symbolic of the burning of Holika and her wicked intentions according to folklore.
The Holika Dahan, also called as Chhoti Holi marks the first day of the festival.
At nightfall, people gather around the pyre, perform Puja (Prayer) and then light fire into the pyre.
This is accompanied with exuberant dances and songs by the participating people, signifying the triumph of good over the evil.
Having fun with colors
Rangwali Holi, Dhulandi, Phagwah, or Badi Holi is the name given to the second day of Holi.
On this day, people play with colours, painting one other with the brightest and most exuberant of shades.
Children and teenagers play in groups with Abir or Gulal (dry colors), pichkaris (water pistols), water balloons filled with colored solutions, and with literally anything that they could think of!
One can easily come across people playing drums and other musical instruments, moving from one location to another across streets.
The special meal
Just like Colours are indispensable to Holi, so are special delicacies and Sweets!
A unique sweet Gujia is something without which Holi is incomplete, for every Indian. Well, Gujia is a stuffed Dumpling, of sorts, with the stuffing comprising dried fruits and Khoya (a sweet dairy product).
Holi’s traditional drink is Thandai, which usually contains Bhang (Marijuana).
Gol Gappe, Papri Chaat, Dal Kachori, Kanji Vada, Dahi Bhalle, Chole Bhature, and a variety of namkeen are among the other dishes loved.
The after party
People clean themselves up, bathe, sober up, and get dressed after playing with colors during the day. After that, they visit their family and friends to wish them a happy festival.
oceanwebb