Happy Holi!! Holi Khele Raghuveera!!!

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.

Mahashivratri!!! Har-Har-Mahadev!!!

What is Mahashivratri?
Mahashivratri is one of the supreme Hindi festivals celebrated with devotion and devout vehemence symbolizes the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Another adage is that Lord Shiva performed Tandav Nritya (the dance of the primitive construction, preservation and obliteration) on this holy night. Shivratri is the time when Shiva takes a rest. Shiva rests for one 'prahar' (three hours) of the night. Shiv-Ratri means "Night of Shiva" and this is the moonless fortnight devotees observe day and night fast together with lighting diyas and candles to appease Lord Shiva.

When is Mahashivratri?
Maha Sivaratri falls on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha of the month of Maagha or Phalguna in the Hindu Calendar, which corresponds to the month of February - March in English Calendar.

Legends of Mahashivratri
There are assortments of interesting folklore allied to the festival of Maha Shivaratri:

Samudra Manthan

During Samudra Manthan by the Gods and Demons, a highly toxic posion came out of the ocean with intensity to wipe out entire creation. As per Lord Vishnu advice Gods approcahed Lord Mahadev who consumed this poison to emerge as Protector. Mahadev held poison in his throat leading to his throat became blue that why Lord Shiva is also known as NeelaKantha. Shiva was advised to keep awake during whole night and Gods performed various dance and music for the purpose.

Jyotirlinga

Once Lord Shiva had to intercede between Lord Vishnu and Lord Bramha as both skirmishing for superiority. Lord Shiva created a pillar of fire (Jyotirlinga) who's both the ends could not be seen. Lord Bramha and Lord Vishnu travelled in the opposite direction in the search of end. Once they were back Lord Vishnu accepted that he wasn't able to find the other end but Lord Bramha lied and then fuming Lord Shiva cursed him that no one will worship him.

Pralaya

On this day Goddess Parvati worshipped her husband Shiva to save the world from Pralaya (deluge).

Traditions and Customs of Shivaratri
An assortment of traditions and customs allied to Shivaratri Festival are submissively followed by the worshippers of Lord Shiva. Devotees observe austere fast in honor of Shiva, though many go on a diet of fruits and milk some do not consume even a drop of water. Devotees strongly believe that sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivaratri, absolves a person of sins and liberates him from the cycle of birth and death. Shivaratri is considered especially auspicious for women. While married women pray for the well being of their husbands' unmarried women pray for a husband like Lord Shiva, who is regarded as the ideal husband.
To mark the Shivratri festival, devotees wake up early and take a ritual bath, preferably in river Ganga. After wearing fresh new clothes devotees visit the nearest Shiva temple to give ritual bath to the Shiva Lingum with milk, honey, water etc.
On Shivaratri, worship of Lord Shiva continues all through the day and night. Every three hours priests perform ritual pooja of Shivalingam by bathing it with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water amidst the chanting of "Om Namah Shivaya' and ringing of temple bells. Nightlong vigil or jaagran is also observed in Shiva temples where large number of devotees spends the night singing hymns and devotional songs in praise of Lord Shiva. It is only on the following morning that devotee break their fast by partaking prasad offered to the deity.

Significance of Shivratri
Festival of Mahashivaratri is the most imperative festival for the millions of devotees of Lord Shiva. The festival has been accorded lot of significance in Hindu mythology. It says that a devotee who performs truthful worship of Lord Shiva on the propitious day of Shivratri is absolved of sins and attains moksha.