What is Holi?Holi also recognized as “Festival of Colors” is an admired Hindu festival celebrated in India and its neighboring countries although distinguished by diverse names in different locations.
Calculating the Day of Holi
Holi is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Phalugna or Falguna. Phalguna Purnima is the final day of the year and the New Year heralding the Vasanta-ritu. In Hindu calendar this festival is also known as - Vasanta-Mahotsava and Kama-Mahotsava.
It is believed that Holi existed several centuries before Christ. However, the meaning of the festival is believed to have changed over the years. Earlier it was a special rite performed by married women for the happiness and well-being of their families and the full moon (Raka) was worshiped.
Legends and Mythology
The most prominent of all is the fable allied with demon king Hiranyakashyap. Hiranyakashyap sought all and sundry in his sovereignty to worship only him but his son, Prahlad became an ardent aficionado of Lord Naarayana. Hiaranyakashyap command his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. Holika had a boon whereby she could enter inferno without any damage. However, she was not aware that the boon worked only when she enters the fire unaccompanied. As a result she paid a price for her sinister desires, while Prahlad was saved by the grace of the god for his extreme devotion. The festival, therefore, celebrates the victory of good over evil and also the triumph of devotion.
Holi Purnima is also celebrated as the birthday of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (A.D. 1486-1533).
Legend of Lord Krishna is also coupled with play with colors as the Lord started the tradition of play with colours by applying colour on his beloved Radha and other gopis. Gradually, the play gained popularity with the people and became a tradition.
There are also a few other legends associated with the festival - like the legend of Shiva and Kaamadeva and those of Ogress Dhundhi and Pootana. All depict triumph of good over evil - lending a philosophy to the festival.
Celebrations
Holi is celebrated by citizens hurling coloured powder and coloured water at each other. A night before which is also known as Chhoti Holi bonfires are lit the in memory of the astounding escape that young Prahlad had when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire.
Holi is celebrated by citizens hurling coloured powder and coloured water at each other. A night before which is also known as Chhoti Holi bonfires are lit the in memory of the astounding escape that young Prahlad had when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire.
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