ॐ Hindu Of Universe ॐ
“God’s light is within you, It never leaves you.”
Festivals celebrated in India are deeply rooted with spiritual importance and values for life.
All the festival occasions highlight several principles to be followed in life for evolution towards godliness.
Unlike any other celebration, festivals of India takes us more towards Godliness, divinity, bringing our mind out from the negativities, etc.
Holi is such a festival celebrated during the spring season with much fervor in India.
It is celebrated as the festival of colours and love, symbolising our mind with its emotions.
Like any other festival rich with culture and tradition, Holi also signifies the victory of good over the evil & ignorance.
Holi is celebrated on the occasion of arrival of the spring.
It is to be noted that with the end of winter season, Holi brings in the fragrance of flowers creating an aura and ambience of warmth and happiness.
Holi celebration always creates an enchanting mood among all the people irrespective of their age.
Smearing each other with different colours along with the delicious gujiyas, this holy festival too brings in the ambience of cheer and happiness across all people.
For centuries, Holi is the one and only festival in India uniting people of all sects, castes, age groups, and even generations.
How to Celebrate Holi: First is to develop an attitude of “forget and forgive”.
This is one important change to be brought in life, not only during the time of Holi.
Every gathering, cheer, festive moments aim to bring in peace and harmony.
This cleanses our mind automatically.
People put tilak on each other’s forehead symbolising acceptance.
This is without any barrier on the age and gender.
Holi is to rejoice the moments in gatherings, spreading colour on each other.
Thanks giving for good harvest is also observed on this auspicious occasion.
All these brings lot of positive vibrations around us.
Though Holi is considered to be a Hindu festival, even non-Hindus celebrate Holi.
Holi celebrations start with Holika Dahan, on the previous night of Holi.
People perform rituals in front of a bonfire by praying for the destruction of the inner evil.
“Dahan” in hindi means to burn, Holika, the demon lady character, as explained in Vedic scriptures was killed in fire.
Demoness symbolises the evil inside us irrespective of whether we are aware or not.
The following morning is the time when people will come out of their houses, on to the streets.
Celebration of Holi starts by smearing colours, throwing and drenching in coloured water.
Water guns, bursting of the balloons filled with coloured water, etc.
are some of the ways in which the youngsters celebrate Holi.
Significance of Holi: Everyone joins together to celebrate the oneness of humanity, that is the message of celebrating Holi.
The popular belief is that the feelings and emotions within us is symbolised through these colours.
Red represents anger, green for jealousy, yellow for happiness, white relates to peace and harmony, pink for love, and so on.
Individual human mind can be seen as a fountain of colours that keep changing its hue.
Life should be taken like the Holi celebration by seeing each colour clearly.
If your life is like Holi, where each colour is seen clearly it adds charm to the life.
Life will become harmonious if we are able to regulate all the emotions by understanding and seeing them clearly.
Life has to be colourful, just like Holi with vibrant and clear colours.
We are all bound to take up different roles in our everyday life.
Clarity on the role, emotions, reactions, etc. needs to be understood to make the life peaceful and harmonious.
As a child we have a joyous nature.
After becoming adult, we all have to play the role of father or mother, brother or sister, etc.
We are also prone to mistakes when the roles are mixed.
At the same time, colourful and vibrant Holi celebrations reminds us about the full involvement even in situations when we take up the role.
If emotions are handled with knowledge, it becomes colourful.
Entire life becomes peaceful and harmonious when you take celebrations in this way.
The Legend of Prahlada: Hiranyakashpu was the king of demonic Asuras.
According to Bhagvata Purana, he got a boon from Lord Shiva that he can neither be killed by a man or an animal.
After getting this boon, he started showing his daemonic nature.
He started killing people for not worshipping him as the supreme God.
Prahlada was his son.
Prahlada was fully devoted to Lord Vishnu.
He never agreed to this compulsion.
Just because of this reason, Hiranyakashpu became furious and tried to kill Prahlada through several ways, but all in vain.
He then asked his sister Holika to sit on a pyre along with Prahlada.
The aim was to burn Prahlada by protecting herself with the help of divine cloak.
But the reverse happened.
The cloak flew away from her body to protect Prahlada and Holika was burnt to ashes.
Finally, one of the avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu, Narasimha (half man & half lion) killed Hiranyakashpu by emerging from a pillar.
Beginning of Holi thus starts with Holika Dahan, symbolising the end of evil.
The Legend of Krishna: When Lord Krishna was a baby, a demoniac lady called Putana fed Him poisonous milk.
Krishna turned blue after drinking her milk.
Krishna always used to bug her mother Yashoda about his color.
One day, Yashodha advised Krishna to smear her face with any colour of His choice.
Krishna just obeyed.
From then on, this day is marked as the festival of Holi.
People smear others’ faces and body with colour as a gesture of love and affection.
There are people who worship by smearing the deities of Radha and Krishna with colours.
The celebration of Holi falls on the last full moon of the year.
And then the Hindu New Year starts from the corresponding full moon.
The tradition is to burn all the old items at our home prior to the last full moon, followed by playing Holi with colours.
Holi breaks all the barriers of caste and creed in the society and people of all ages celebrate together.
It’s a celebration to unite everyone.
Holi Festival
Holika Dahan Timings, Puja And Samagri List
Holi is a two-day colourful celebration that commemorates the victory of good over evil, check out the holika dahan timings, puja vidhi and samagri
Holi : Holi is India’s most eagerly anticipated festival which falls on March 7 (Choti Holi) and March 8 (Badi Holi), this year.
Holi, one of the most important Hindu holidays is also known as the festival of colours.
The colourful festival, which celebrates Radha Krishna’s unfailing and holy love, also reminds us of Lord Vishnu’s conquest against Hiranyakashyap as Narasimha Narayana and the victory of righteousness over wickedness.
In order to extend social harmony, individuals sober up to greet friends and relatives by visiting them and exchanging goodies after a day of playing with colour.
HOLIKHA DAHAN TIMINGS
Holika Dahan, also known as Choti Holi, will take place this year on March 7, .
Everyone participates in Holika Dahan on the evening of the full moon.
The Holika Dahan period which is considered to be a lucky time will span from 6.23 until 8.51 in the evening.
HOLI PUJA VIDHI
- Tie the raw yarn to the wood that was gathered for Holika Dahan three to seven times.
- Offer adoration by dousing it with Ganges water or clean water, flowers, and kumkum.
- Utilize garlands, rolis, akshat, batashe-jaggery, whole turmeric, gulals, and coconuts.
- Chant the Holi mantra and perform seven Holika parikramas.
- One should sit close to Holika and face either east or north while offering homage.
HOLI PUJA SAMAGRI LIST
- Cotton thread
- Coconut
- Gulal Powder
- Roli, Akshat & Flowers
- Cow Dung Garland
- Batasha, New Grain and Whole Moong Dal
- Turmeric
- A Bowl of Water
Children organize into groups and use dry paint, coloured solutions, water cannons also known as pichkaris, coloured water balloons, and other creative techniques to colour their targets.
Holi is a fantastic opportunity for us to unite and recognize our differences.
Holi Puja Vidhi
It is believed that all sorts of fear can be conquered by doing Holika Puja on Holi.
Holika Puja bestows power, prosperity and wealth.
It is believed that Holika was created to ward off all sorts of fear.
Hence Holika, although a Demoness, is worshipped along with Prahlada before Holika Dahan.
In religious books, Holika Puja is suggested before Holika Dahan.
Holika Dahan should be done at an appropriate time after consulting Hindu Panchang.
It is important to perform Holika Dahan at the right time as doing it at the wrong time might bring misfortune and suffering.
Please visit Holika Dahan Muhurat to know the appropriate time of Holika Dahan for your city.
Puja Samagri
The following Samagri or materials should be used for Puja: One bowl of water, beads made of cow dung, Roli, rice which are not broken (also called Akshat in Sanskrit), fragrances like Agarbatti and Dhoop, flowers, raw cotton thread, turmeric pieces, unbroken lentil of Moong, Batasha, Gulal powder and coconut.
Also, fully grown grains of freshly cultivated crops like wheat and gram can be included in the Puja items.
Holika Sthapana
The place where Holika is kept is rinsed with cow dung and the holy water of Ganges.
A wooden pole is kept in the center and surrounded with beads or garlands of toys made of cow dung which are popularly known as Gulari, Bharbholiye or Badkula. Idols of Holika and Prahlada usually made of cow dung are placed on the top of the heap.
Holika pile is decorated with shields, swords, sun, moon, stars and other toys made of cow dung.
During Holika Dahan, idol of Prahlada is taken out.
Also four beads of cow dung are kept safe before bonfire.
One is kept safe in the name of ancestors, second in the name of God Hanuman, third in name of Goddess Sheetala and fourth in the name of the family.
Puja Vidhi
We have listed down Mantra in Sanskrit and along with that we have explained the essence of those Mantras.
If one is not able to chant those Mantras, then one can chant them in his own language with the same spirit.
- Keep all Puja ingredients in a plate. Accompany a small water pot with Puja Thali.
While on the Puja spot, sit down such that either facing the East or the North direction.
After that sprinkle some water on the Puja Thali and yourself while chanting following Mantra thrice.
ऊँ पुण्डरीकाक्ष: पुनातु। x 3
Above Mantra is to remember Lord Vishnu and seek his blessings before starting any auspicious work. It is also done to purify the place of worship.
2. Now take the water, rice, flower and some money in the right hand and take Sankalp.
ऊँ विष्णु: विष्णु: विष्णु: श्रीमद्भगवतो महापुरुषस्य विष्णोराज्ञया अद्य दिवसे ________ (संवत्सर का नाम लें e.g. विश्वावसु) नाम संवत्सरे संवत् ________ (e.g. 2069) फाल्गुन मासे शुभे शुक्लपक्षे पूर्णिमायां शुभ तिथि ________ (e.g. मंगलवासरे) ________ गौत्र (अपने गौत्र का नाम लें) उत्पन्ना ________ (अपने नाम का उच्चारण करें) मम इह जन्मनि जन्मान्तरे वा सर्वपापक्षयपूर्वक दीर्घायुविपुलधनधान्यं शत्रुपराजय मम् दैहिक दैविक भौतिक त्रिविध ताप निवृत्यर्थं सदभीष्टसिद्धयर्थे प्रह्लादनृसिंहहोली इत्यादीनां पूजनमहं करिष्यामि।
By chanting above Mantra, one is reciting currently prevailing Hindu date, place of worship, his family surname and his name, including purpose of Puja and to whom Puja is offered, so that all the benefits of Puja are targeted to the worshipper.
3. Now remember Lord Ganesha after taking flower and rice in the right hand. The Mantra to chant while remembering Lord Ganesha is –
गजाननं भूतगणादिसेवितं कपित्थजम्बूफलचारुभक्षणम्।
उमासुतं शोकविनाशकारकं नमामि विघ्नेश्वरपादपमजम्॥
ऊँ गं गणपतये नम: पंचोपचारार्थे गंधाक्षतपुष्पाणि समर्पयामि।
While reciting above Mantra, apply Roli and rice on a flower and offer it along with fragrance to Lord Ganesha.
4. After worshipping Lord Ganesha, remember Goddess Ambika and chant following Mantra.
While reciting below Mantra, applying Roli and rice on a flower and offer it along with fragrance to Goddess Ambika.
ऊँ अम्बिकायै नम: पंचोपचारार्थे गंधाक्षतपुष्पाणि सर्मपयामि।
- Now remember Lord Narasimha by chanting following Mantra.
While reciting below Mantra, applying Roli and rice on a flower and offer it along with fragrance to Lord Narasimha.
ऊँ नृसिंहाय नम: पंचोपचारार्थे गंधाक्षतपुष्पाणि समर्पयामि।
- Now remember devotee Prahlada and chant following Mantra.
While reciting below Mantra, applying Roli and rice on a flower and offer it along with fragrance to devotee Prahlada.
ऊँ प्रह्लादाय नम: पंचोपचारार्थे गंधाक्षतपुष्पाणि समर्पयामि।
7. Now stand in front of Holi with folded hands and request to fulfill your wishes while chanting following Mantra.
असृक्पाभयसंत्रस्तै: कृता त्वं होलि बालिशै:
अतस्त्वां पूजयिष्यामि भूते भूतिप्रदा भव:॥
It means that some foolish and childish people, due to constant fear of blood sucking demons, created Holika.
Hence, I worship you and seek power, wealth and prosperity for myself.
- Offer rice, fragrances, flower, unbreakable Moong lentil, turmeric pieces, coconut and Bharbholiye (garland made of dried cow dung which is also known as Gulari and Badkula) to Holika.
Three, five or seven rounds of raw yarn are tied around the Holika while circumambulating it.
After that empty the water pot in front of Holika pile.
- Holika is burnt after that. Usually, the fire from the public bonfire is brought home to burn Holika.
After that, all men wear auspicious mark of Roli and take blessings from elders.
People circumambulate Holika and offer new crops to the bonfire and roast them.
The roasted grains are distributed as Holika Prasad.
Next morning, on the day of wet Holi, the ash from the bonfire is collected and smeared on the body. The ash is considered pious and it is believed that body and soul is purified after applying it.
By using the ash of bonfire many remedies are suggested by astrologers.
Holi
Holi is one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated with great enthusiasm across India.
Talking about the states of UP-Bihar it is a two-day festival that starts with Chhoti Holi or Holika Dahan and is followed by Rangwali Holi.
This year Holika Dahan will be performed on March 17.
Rangwali Holi will be celebrated on March 18, the next day of Holika Dahan. Let’s know here how to perform the puja of Holika Dahan and what is its legend behind it.
Festival Of Holi Symbolises Victory Of Good Over Evil
According to the Hindu religion, Holika Dahan is considered to symbolise the victory of good over evil.
Holika Dahan is the first ritual of the two-day Holi festival.
On this day people light bonfires, which is said to bring destruction to all evils.
This time, the auspicious muhurat of Holi will be of 1 hour 10 minutes which will start at 9.20 pm on March 17 and will last till 10.31 pm.
Puja Vidhi Of Holika Dahan (Holika Dahan Puja Vidhi)
- For the worship of Holika Dahan, it is very important to take a bath first. After bathing, sit at the place of worship of Holika facing north or east direction.
- After this, the idols to be made of Holika and Prahlad for worshipping should be made from cow dung.
- In Holika Pujan, things like roli (vermilion), incense, flowers, jaggery, turmeric, batashe (sugar crisp), gulal (colour) and coconut are offered.
- Also umbi, cow dung cakes and coconuts are offered and worshipped.
- Offer sweets and fruits as well.
- Also, perform puja of Lord Narsingha.
- After this, circumambulate (parikrama) Holika four and seven times.
Lakshmi Narayana Pooja: Benefits, Procedure And Samagri List
People can obtain all material comforts, health, prosperity, long life, spiritual progress, and wealth by worshiping Goddess Lakshmi and Narayan together.
The devotion of Srihari Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, grants all wishes.
The chanting of Lord Vishnu’s and Mother Lakshmi’s mantras brings Srihari and Mother Lakshmi’s blessings from all ten directions.
If you are trying to attain peace, prosperity and fulfillment in life, then you need to think about performing a Lakshmi Narayana Pooja, either by yourself at home
When Should You Do Lakshmi Narayana Pooja?
You can perform this Pooja: –
On any Thursday
When there is Pushya Nakshatra
When Pushya Nakshatra falls on Tuesday as there is Guru Pushya Yoga on that day
Lakshmi Narayana Pooja Mantra
Om Shreem Satyalokapalakaya Namah:
Lakshmi Narayana Pooja Samagri List
Lotus flower
Tulsi
Conch
Chunari
Red Cloth
Mango Leaves
Saffron
Haldi
Sindur
Lakshmi Narayana Pooja Vidhi/Procedure
Before we start with the Pooja, you’ll need a photo, murti or painting of Lakshmi Narayan in a specific manner.
Lord Vishnu should be sleeping in the Ksheera Sagara with Goddess Lakshmi sitting near him.
A lotus should be sprouting from the navel of Vishnu on which Lord Brahma should be sitting.
Make sure you are facing north while performing this Pooja. Set the aisle accordingly with the photos and Diya.
The person performing this Pooja needs to be seated in a seat covered in yellow and should wear yellow clothes.
The Dhoop used should be of a yellow or white flower. Preferably Jasmin.
Mix Haldi in a cow’s ghee and light the Diya with that ghee only. You can also wrap camphor in a yellow thread and burn it along with lighting the Diya.
Offer marigold or any other yellow flower to Lakhsmi Narayan
Next, offer a seasonal yellow fruit like a banana or mango.
Now, apply a talk to the murti or photo using Kesar.
Apply a talk on your forehead next using the same Kesar.
Offer a small amount of honey to the deities as well.
After the Pooja is completed, spread the honey on a roti or chapati and feed it to a cow.
Now, offer a bit of Haldi powder to them as well. Later, once the Pooja is completed, add a bit of Gangajal or rose water into the powder and use it to make a “Shree” symbol on the front door, on the locker and also on the money.
This will ensure prosperity and more financial stability.
Next, offer the prasad to the deities.
The Prasad should be made through besan and be yellow in colour.
Take the Chandan mala in your hand and chant the “Om Shreem Satyalokapalakaya Namah:” mantra 108 times
Once it’s done, bow to the deities and ask for fulfilment and forgiveness.
Share the prasad with as many people as you can.
Feed the cows and offer food and clothes to the poor.
Lakshmi Narayana Pooja Benefits
Those who perform this pooja are blessed with a lot of things. Some benefits of performing this Pooja at home are:
Peace
Wealth
Prosperity
Healthy and intelligent Children
Desire fulfilment
Better understanding among family members
Holi
Holi is considered as one of the most revered and celebrated festivals of India and it is celebrated in almost every part of the country.
It is also sometimes called as the “festival of love” as on this day people get to unite together forgetting all resentments and all types of bad feeling towards each other.
The great Indian festival lasts for a day and a night, which starts in the evening of Purnima or the Full Moon Day in the month of Falgun.
It is celebrated with the name Holika Dahan or Choti Holi on first evening of the festival and the following day is called Holi. In different parts of the country it is known with different names.
The vibrancy of colors is something that brings in a lot of positivity in our lives and Holi being the festival of colours is actually a day worth rejoicing. Holi is a famous Hindu festival that is celebrated in every part of India with utmost joy and enthusiasm.
The ritual starts by lighting up the bonfire one day before the day of Holi and this process symbolizes the triumph of good over the bad.
On the day of Holi people play with colours with their friends and families and in evening they show love and respect to their close ones with Abeer.
What is Holi Festival and Why is it Celebrated?
The Holi Festival (or festival of colors) is a fascinating cultural and religious celebration that encompasses much more than just throwing colored dye in the air. In this article, you’ll learn some general Holi Festival information and facts, and get a glimpse into the rich religious traditions behind its celebration.
What Is Holi Celebrated for?
Holi is a Hindu festival that has been celebrated since ancient times.
The Holi Festival is celebrated as a way to welcome in spring, and also is seen as a new beginning where people can release all their inhibitions and start fresh.
It is said that during the Holi Festival, the gods turn a blind eye, and it’s one of the few times extremely devout Hindus allow themselves to let loose.
They open up and enjoy each other’s company, take time to dance and party, and throw their cultural norms to the side. On the first day of the festival, a bonfire is lit to symbolically burn away all the bad and give way to a colorful and vibrant new future.
At the Holi Festival, participants throw powder dye into the air, covering all in attendance with vibrant colors.
In a religious sense, the colors are rich with symbolism and have multiple meanings: they can mean a vibrant new life and even represent sin in a way.
For some, washing off the dye at the end of the day can mean new commitment to live well, as cleansing oneself of evils and demons.
Which Religion Celebrates Holi Festival?
The Holi Festival is primarily celebrated by Hindus.
That said, the festival is a very inclusive, as one of the main themes of the festival is unity.
So, while the Holi Festival is rooted in Hindu tradition, it is a celebration that happens all over the world.
It brings people together and invites them to throw away their inhibitions, feeling united in one big colorful group.
What Is the Story of Holi Festival?
It’s said that the Holi Festival was originally a ceremony for married women to spread prosperity and goodwill on their new family.
Since then, the festival has evolved to encompass much more.
Now, one of the main focuses of the Holi Festival is a celebration of the victory of good over evil.
Good overcoming evil in Hinduism is rooted in the story of Hiranyakashipu.
He was an ancient king who claimed to be immortal and demanded to be worshipped as a god.
His son Prahlad was deeply devoted to worshipping the Hindu deity Vishnu, and Hiranyakashipu was angry that his son worshipped this god over him. According to the story, the Lord Vishnu appeared as half-lion and half-man, and killed Hiranyakashipu. In that way, good conquered evil.
Another story tied to the Holi Festival is that of Radha and Krishna.
As the eighth incarnation of the Hindu god Vishna, Krishna is seen by many as the supreme god. Krishna is said to have blue skin because as legend has it, he drank poisonous milk from a demon when he was a baby.
Krishna fell in love with the goddess Radha, but feared she would not love him because of his blue skin – but Radha allowed Krishna to dye her skin with color, making them a true couple.
On Holi, Festival participants apply color to each other’s skin in honor of Krishna and Radha.
Where Is Holi Festival Mainly Celebrated?
Holi Festival is mainly celebrated in India and Nepal, but over the years it has grown to be a celebration that takes place in many communities all across the globe. The festival is most widely and openly celebrated in cities like Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, and while each city may celebrate slightly differently, you can expect to see plenty of colors, music, and dance.
Why Do We Celebrate Holi in America?
There are many Hindu populations in the United States, particularly in larger metropolitan areas.
In addition to the religious meaning of the festival, some have adopted it in the United States for the spectacle and entertainment.
Holi Festivals can be found in Boston, New York, Houston, and even Spanish Fork, Utah.
When Is Holi Festival?
Holi Festival is celebrated on the last full moon day of the lunar month of (Phalguna), which is generally around the end of March. The exact date of Holi may vary from year to year.
What Is the Holi Festival Like?
The Holi Festival is wild: think big crowds, colored dye, water guns, music, dancing, and partying.
During the Holi Festival, people dance through the streets and throw colored dye on each other.
The Holi Festival is a happy time when people come together as one and let go of their inhibitions.
HOLI: A Celebration of Colors and Culture
What is Holi and why is it celebrated?
The Hindu festival Holi, also known as the festival of colours, marks the beginning of the spring season in the Indian subcontinent.
Millions of Hindus worldwide are celebrating Holi, the festival of colours that marks the beginning of the spring season in the Indian subcontinent.
Holi
Introduction
Holi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the arrival of spring.
The festival is also known as the “festival of colors” because of the tradition of people spreading colored powder and water among each other, the reason behind it being called “Rangon ka Tyohar”.
Holi is celebrated all over India, as well as in Nepal and parts of Pakistan.
The festival is a historical thread of love in the Indian Subcontinent.
The date of Holi changes every year, but it always falls in the month of March or April, on the Poornima(full moon) of the Phalgun month of the Hindu calendar.
Origin: The history of Holi
Holi celebrates the triumph of good over evil.
The holiday has its origins in the ancient Hindu festival of Holika, which commemorated the death of Holika, the sister of King Hiranyakashipu.
According to legend, Holika tried to kill her nephew Prahlada by burning him alive, but Prahlada was saved by the power of Vishnu.
In honor of Prahlada’s victory over evil, Hindus celebrate Holi by lighting bonfires and throwing colored powder and water at each other.
Let’s know the history behind the festival in detail.
Holi, the festival of enthusiasm, has a rich mythological history.
The festival has a long and terrifying history dating back to several thousand years.
The story of Holi is related to the Hindu scriptural legend called ‘the Dashavatar’.
According to the legend, Hiranya Kashyap was a powerful king who was very proud of his wealth and power.
He had a son named Prahlad who refused to worship his father as the god.
Hiranya Kashyap tried to kill Prahlad several times but failed each time.
Finally, he asked his sister Holika to help him kill Prahlad.
Holika had a special power that prevented her from being harmed by fire. She tricked Prahlad into sitting on her lap while she was sitting in a fire pit.
However, by the grace of lord Vishnu, Prahlad, the good spirit wasn’t harmed at all but to everyone’s surprise Holika was burnt into ashes in the same fire pit, depicting the victory of good over evil.
Significance: The meaning of Holi
The festival has various meanings, including the victory of spiritual over materialistic values and the end of winter.
The festival has religious and social significance.
Holi is an ancient Hindu festival that has various meanings, including the end of winter.
The festival is celebrated by throwing brightly-colored powder and water at each other, which symbolizes the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
Holi also celebrates the triumph of good over evil, and participants often sing and dance to traditional songs and stories. It is a time to enjoy spring’s arrival, forgive offenses, and celebrate new beginnings.
The festival is celebrated by throwing brightly-colored powder and water at each other. It is a time to forget differences and come together in joy.
Holi also marks the beginning of spring, which is a time of new beginnings.
Celebration: How is Holi celebrated?
The festival has many purposes, including thanksgiving, commemorating a religious event, or celebrating the beginning of Spring.
The festival is also known as the Festival of Colors, as all about it is filling and bringing back colors in each other’s life.
The primary celebration of Holi happens on the day of Phalgun Purnima (full moon), which usually falls in late February or early March.
The day before, Holika Dahan (burning of Holika) is celebrated.
On Phalgun Purnima, people gather at common areas to play with colored powder and water.
The powder is mixed with water to make a thick paste, which is then thrown at friends and strangers alike.
Holi is the festival of colors, where everyone enjoys colors, and every emotion blends among the colors.
The festival is celebrated in all the states of India.
The ceremony starts with a ritual cleaning of homes, followed by preparing colors and sweets for friends and family, guests are welcomed and delicious feasts are prepared.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Holi is a beloved Hindu festival that is celebrated each year to commemorate the beginning of spring.
The colorful celebration is packed with tradition and symbolism, and has a rich history that is still celebrated today.
Whether you are celebrating Holi for the first time or are a long-time devotee, the joy and happiness of the festival is sure to bring a smile to your face.
The story behind Holi Celebration
Holi is one of the most important festivals in India.
It is celebrated on full moon day, in the month of Phalgun with full of enthusiasm, which is in March.
The Holi festival may be celebrated in various names and people of different states might be following different traditions but, what makes Holi so unique and special is the spirit of the festival which remains the same throughout the globe, wherever it is celebrated.
Holi is one of those ancient Hindu festivals which has become popular with non-Hindus in many parts of the world.
There are multiple stories behind this festival.
The first story is about Holika and Prahlad.
For many traditions in Hinduism, Holi celebrates the death of Holika who died in order to save Prahlad, and we see where Holi gets its name.
The night before Holi, pyres are burnt in North India in keeping with this tradition.
It should also be noted that in some parts of India the day is actually called Holika.
There are other activities associated with the story of Prahlad, but the burning of Holika is the one that we can most directly associate with Holi.
Holika Dahan Story:
According to Bhagavata Purana, once a demon king Hiranyakashipu wanted to be immortal.
So, to fulfill this desire, he performed the required penances until he was granted a boon by Brahma.
Since the Gods rarely granted immortality, he used his guile and cunning thoughts to get a boon that he thought made him immortal.
Though different Puranas have different tellings of the boon, here we are going to say about the most popular one.
Hiranyakashipu asked Brahma for five special powers: “he couldn’t be killed by a human being or an animal, he couldn’t be killed indoors or outdoors, he couldn’t be killed at day or night, he couldn’t be killed by Astra (projectile weapons), or by any Shastra (handheld weapons) and neither on land nor in water or air.”
As this wish was granted, Hiranyakashipu felt invincible, which made him arrogant.
He decreed that only he should be worshiped as a God.
He punished and killed anyone who did not accept his orders.
But his son Prahlad disagreed with him and refused to worship him as a god.
He continued believing and worshipping Lord Vishnu.
This made Hiranyakashipu very angry and he made various attempts to kill Prahlad.
During a particular attempt on Prahlad’s life, King Hiranyakashipu called upon his sister Holika for help.
Holika had a special cloak garment that prevented her from being harmed by fire.
Hiranyakashipu asked her to sit on a bonfire with Prahlad, by tricking the boy to sit on her lap.
However, as the fire roared, the garment flew from Holika and covered Prahlad.
Holika burnt to death, and Prahlad came out unharmed.
This story is known as Holika Dahan (Holika’s death), which signifies the triumph of good over evil.
Holika is associated with the annual bonfire on the night before Holi, the Hindu festival of colors.
Holi Story – playing with Colours:
The second story is associated with the immortal love of Radha and Krishna. It was Krishna, the king of Dwarka, who popularized the tradition of Holi.
The origin of the colorful and playful tone of Holi lies in the boyhood of Krishna.
Kansa, king of Vrishni, and uncle of Krishna, sensed danger to his life from his infant nephew when he grows up.
Kansa sent the demon Pootna, disguised as a woman, to poison the infant under the guise of breastfeeding.
Baby Krishna sucks not only the poisonous milk but Pootna’s blood too. transforming her back into a demon.
She ran and burst into flames while the infant Krishna transitioned into his characteristic dark blue skin color.
The day before Phagwah is celebrated by burning Putna.
According to the tales, in his youth, Krishna was sad about fair-skinned Radha.
He also doubted whether Radha or other Gopis would like him because of his dark skin.
His mother, tired of the desperation, asked him to approach Radha and color her face in any color he wanted. Krishna did this, and he and Radha became a couple.
The playful coloring of the face of Radha has, henceforth, been celebrated as Holi.
This ‘Holi’ play of Krishna and Radha with Gopis is well documented in hundreds of ancient paintings, murals, and scriptures.
There is also another story behind Holi that involves a burning sacrifice for the sake of love: the story of Shiva and Kamadev.
Before Shiva was married to Goddess Parvati, Kamadeva (God of Love) and his wife Rati (Goddess of love) tried to help Goddess Parvati to win Shiva as her husband.
Kamadev shot his arrow at Shiva to disturb his meditation, and to make him marry Parvati.
But the disturbance caused Shiva to open his third eye and its powerful gaze burned Kamadeva into ashes and his wife Rati was heart-broken.
Shiva and Parvati did marry.
At their wedding, Rati begged Shiva to bring Kamadev back to her.
Shiva agreed and restored Kamadeva as a virtual image with true emotions.
Seeing this, all the Gods and Goddesses showered colors from the heaven.