Holi

The festival of colors – Holi ushers a carnivalesque mood among people of all ages, be it young or old. Holi marks the arrival of spring after winter. It also depicts the victory of good over evil and is greatly celebrated as a festival of spreading love and happiness. Holi is also significantly celebrated as a thanksgiving for a good harvest. 

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Let’s have a look at different perspectives of Holi:

  
Mythological Significance

According to Bhagvat Purana, a demon king named Hiranyakashyap won over the entire kingdom of Earth. He ordered everyone in his kingdom to worship him. His only son Prahalad proved to be a disappointment. He was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu and refused to worship his father.

 

Hiranykashyap’s ego encouraged him to try on several methods to kill his only son Prahalad. But Lord Vishnu saved him every time. Hiranykashyap was angry and frustrated. So he asked his sister Holika to help him by entering a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. Holika has a boon that she cannot be burned in the fire. 

 

Holika tricked and deceived young Prahalad to sit in her lap. He quickly entered the blazing fire. Holika was burned down to ashes and Prahalad was saved instead. She misused her blessings and the world knows how had to pay the price for her sinful deeds. Holika was unaware of the fact that the boon only worked if she entered the fire alone. 

 

Little Prahalad who was unaware of all the things kept on chanting the name of Lord Vishnu. He came out of the fire unharmed. Lord Vishnu saved him out of true devotion.

 

Mythology also depicts Holi as the celebration of the death of “Pootna” who tried to kill baby Krishna by feeding poisonous milk.

 

Another mythological story of Lord Shiva and Kaamdev is very popular in Southern India. People in the South celebrate the sacrifice of Kaamdev who burned down to ashes to revoke Lord Shiva from meditation and save the world.

 
Holika Dahan

Holika Dahan is an important part of the Holi celebration. On Holi eve, after sunset, people gather around a bonfire and perform religious rituals. They worship the bonfire by offering water, jaggery, Dhani, peanuts and dates to the holy fire. They pray for the safety of their family. They worship fire like a mother. People usually chant mantras and move around the holy bonfire while purifying themselves with the warmth of the fire. This is usually performed so one can be free from all sins and gain the courage to fight against evil.

Cultural Significance

Holi is simply the celebration of the victory of good over evil. The spirit reassures the people that the truth is always powerful. Every mythological story helps people to follow good morals in their lives and walk on the path of truth. 

Social Significance

Holi brings people closer to each other and strengthens their relationships with each other. This tradition even turns enemies into friends. It is such a joyous and colorful festival. People meet each other in the evening and exchange presents, sweets and greetings. It strengthens the emotional bonds between people. Everyone celebrates the festival with the spirit of brotherhood and love.

The Celebration

The next day after Holi is usually the celebration day, where people gather and play with colors. These days, people like to enjoy playing Holi with music, sweets, water, and colors. This day is meant for fun and happiness.