Holi - A Festival of Colours and Unity

Holi, often referred to as the ‘Festival of Colours’, is one of the most vibrant and joyous festivals celebrated in India. It signifies the arrival of spring, the end of winter, and for many, a festive day to meet others, play, laugh, and mend broken relationships.

Legends and Mythology

The name ‘Holi’ originates from ‘Holika’, the evil sister of the demon king Hiranyakashipu. The demon king forbade his son Prahlad from worshiping Lord Vishnu. However, Prahlad continued his worship despite his father’s denial. Thus, the demon king ordered Prahlad to sit on a pyre along with Holika (who was immune to fire). When the fire started, Holika was burnt to death in spite of her immunity to fire, and miraculously Prahlad was saved because of his unshakable devotion to Lord Vishnu. The burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi.

Another legend behind the origin of Holi is related to Lord Krishna. As a baby, Krishna was poisoned by the breast milk of the demoness Putana, which resulted in his characteristic blue skin color. Krishna was unsure if the fair-skinned Radha and other girls would like him. Thus, he approached Radha and coloured her face in some colours. Radha accepted Krishna despite the blue colour of his skin, and since that day, the festival of Holi is celebrated.

Meaning and Relevance

The word ‘Holi’ originates from ‘Holika’, the evil sister of demon king Hiranyakashyap. The festival commemorates the victory of good over evil, brought about by the burning and destruction of Holika. This is why the night before Holi is celebrated as Holika Dahan or Choti Holi.

Importance

Holi is not just a festival; it’s a feeling, an emotion that brings people together. The spirit of Holi encourages the feeling of brotherhood in society and even the enemies turn friend on this day. People of all communities and even religions participate in this joyous and colourful festival and strengthen the secular fabric of the nation.

Celebrations

Holi is celebrated after the full moon in the month of ‘Phalguna’, which generally falls between February and March. The festival of Holi is celebrated for at least 16 days in the Braj region of India, where Krishna was born. It is also celebrated in countries like Mauritius, Fiji, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Pakistan, and the Philippines.

The celebrations of Holi vary from region to region, but what remains constant is the enthusiasm and excitement with which it is celebrated. People smear each other with colors, throw water balloons, and indulge in sweets like ‘gujiya’ and ‘malpua’. Music and dance, especially the traditional ‘Rasleela’, are a major part of the celebrations.

Conclusion

Holi is a festival that reminds us of the importance of colours in our life. It is a day when the streets and homes are filled with hues of blues, reds, yellows, and greens. As we celebrate Holi, let’s spread love and positivity, and paint the canvas of our life with joy and happiness.

Remember, Holi is not just about colours and sweets. It’s about spreading love, peace, and unity. So, this Holi, let’s pledge to remove all the negativity from our life and fill it with positivity and colours.