Holi, also known as the “festival of colours”, is a Hindu spring festival celebrated all across India and Nepal and among Hindus in Bangladesh and Pakistan as well in countries with large Indian.
Holi got its name as the “Festival of Colors” from Lord Krishna, a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, who liked to play pranks on the village girls by drenching them in water and colors.
The festival marks the end of winter and the abundance of the upcoming spring harvest season.
The day after the full moon in March each year. In 2018, Holi will be celebrated on March 2. The festival takes place a day earlier in West Bengal and Odisha. In addition, in some parts of India (such as Mathura and Vrindavan) festivities commence a week or so earlier.
Holi celebrations take place in most areas of India.Traditional Holi celebrations are the biggest at Mathura and Vrindavan, four hours from Delhi.
People spend the day smearing colored powder all over each other’s faces, throwing colored water at each other, having parties, and dancing under water sprinklers. Bhang (a paste made from cannabis plants) is also traditionally consumed during the celebrations.
Special Holi events with music, rain dances, and colors are organized in large cities across India — particularly in Delhi and Mumbai. It’s possible to celebrate Holi with a local Indian family in Delhi and in Jaipur.
The emphasis of Holi rituals is on the burning of demoness Holika. On the eve of Holi, large bonfires are lit to mark occasion. This is known as Holika Dahan. As well as performing a special puja, people sing and dance around the fire, and walk around it three times.
The burning of Holika is mentioned in the Hindu text, the Narada Purana. Apparently, Holika’s brother demon King Hiranyakashyap instructed her to burn his son, Prahlad, because he followed Lord Vishnu and didn’t worship him. Holika sat with Prahlad in her lap, in the burning fire, because it was thought that no fire could harm her. However, due to his devotion to Lord Vishnu who protected him, Prahlad survived and Holika was charred to death.
Unlike most other festivals in India, there aren’t any religious rituals to be performed on the main day of Holi. It’s simply a day for having fun!
Also Read:Celebrate this Holi with these environment-friendly methods
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