Holi is also known as Festival of Colors, Holi is celebrated by all the sections of the Indian society and crosses the barriers of religion and caste. Holi, the festival of colors, is a spring celebration and the exuberant ritual of putting color on each other. Holi promotes social harmony between the various classes of society. It is the day when all classes of people mix up and celebrate this festival displaying unity. The celebration of holi festival breaks down all man-made obstacles and brings people together. |
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Holli, is a spring festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and others. It is primarily observed in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and countries with large Indic diaspora populations, such as Suriname, Guyana, South Africa, Trinidad, United Kingdom, United States, Mauritius, and Fiji. In West Bengal of India it is known as Dolyatra (Doul Jatra) or Basanta-Utsav ("spring festival"). The most celebrated Holi is that of the Braj region, in locations connected to the god Krishna: Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandagaon, and Barsana. These places have become tourist destinations during the festive season of Holi, which lasts here to up to sixteen days. |
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| Story of Holi Festival |
Legend has it that there was a demon king by the name of Hirnakashyip who ruled Earth. He got so carried away by his mighty powers that he started thinking of himself as a superior being to Lord Vishnu. He had announce in his kingdom that he will not allow anyone worship Lord Vishnu and any found in violation of this rule would be prosecuted. Rebellion to this rule was born closer inside home and took the king by surprise. It was his son, Prahlad who openly defied the order of his father and continued worshiping Lord Vishnu. Infuriated by the defiance put across by his son, Hirnakashyip ordered his soldiers to throw his son down a hill. Not deterred by this, Bhakta Prahlad continued his devotion towards Lord Vishnu and rewarding him for his devotion Lord Vishnu rescued the boy from the evil hands of his fathers and saved his life. |
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Hirnakashyip got very irritated and angry at Lord Vishnu's intervention and summoned his sister Holika to eliminate his son who had a boon that she could walk through a fire unharmed. Holika entered fire with Bhakta Prahlad in order to finish him off inside the fire. However, Holika was the one who got burnt in the process as the boon was for her to enter the fire alone and Bhakta Prahlad was saved by Lord Vishnu once again. Holi derived from Holika is therefore celebrated with lot of jubilation to symbolise this victory of good over evil. |
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| Celebration |
The main day, Holi, also known as Dhuli Vandana in Sanskrit,also Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is celebrated by people throwing coloured powder and coloured water at each other. Bonfires are lit the day before, also known as Holika Dahan (burning of Holika) or Chhoti Holi (little Holi). The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad accomplished when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of god Vishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion. Holika Dahan is referred to as Kama Dahanam in South India. |
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Holi in Uttar Pradesh |
Uttar Pradesh is the best place in India to experience the true flavor of the festival of colors Holi. Celebrations in Mathura and Varanasi are the most exciting amongst all of the celebrations in the state. The essence of Holi celebrations in Brajbhoomi is said to be kept the same even today, as it was celebrated thousands years back (during Krishna's era). Holi in Braj start a week earlier than the rest of India. The concept of the Holi at Braj is that men from Nandagaon (Village of Lord Krishna) raid Barsana (Radha's village) to raise a flag on Shri Radhikaji temple. The catch being that women from Barsana greet them with long wooden sticks and colored water where the men have to be well padded as they cannot retaliate. Their only self-defence is water guns which they use at the ladies in order to distract them. This is one of the most popular of the Holi festivals in India also popularly called as 'Lathmaar Holi'. |
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Holi is one beautiful and colorful festivals of India. This is one festival where all the religious, linguistic and cultural barriers are broken. To feel the real essence of Holi, it must be witnessed in the spirits of men, women and children of Uttar Pradesh. |
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Holi is meant to be a rough festival with tradition of applying colors to the guests and friends with or without their consent. Any kind of rudeness is totaly forgiven on this day but these kinds of fun should also be participated under a certain limits. Fun, food and colors is all that should spread on this holy day of Holi. You should always remember to use these small prcautions so that no one that you know or love gets hurt unknowingly. |
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| Dental caps are a good idea to protect you teeth from staining. |
Sunglasses go a long way in keeping your eyes safe from the harmful chemicals of the colors. |
Wear old and ragged clothes that you can easily discard while playing Holi as your clothes may never look wearable again with all those color stains. |
| Wear full-sleeved t-shirts or shirts and leggings that cover your legs fully. Socks will be a good idea too. |
| Brightly colored and dark colored clothes are preferable for the mood of the day. |
Granted that it is almost impossible to save you face from attack of colors, so while being attacked, keep eyes and lips tightly closed. |
| If you are playing Holi, apply a thick layer of coconut or any oil on your body and hair till they glisten and you become slippery. |
| This will not only help in escaping from the frenzied mob attack but also will help you to wash off colors easily later on. |
| While washing off the color, use lukewarm water and keep your eyes and lips tightly closed. |
| If you are traveling, keep the car windows tightly shut. Better still; avoid traveling on Dhuledi, the day of playing colors. |
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