Holi is an age-old traditional Hindu festival which symbolises good over evil. This festival celebrated on Phalgun Purnima, marks the beginning of spring. Holi is also known as ‘Vasant Mahotsava’ and ‘Kama Mahotsava’. Holi is celebrated for two days, which begins with lighting up of a bonfire for the Holika Dahan puja.
The bonfire is also known as Chhoti Holi, wherein people gather around the bonfire and perform a pinguja, pray for their loved ones. On the next day on Rangpanchami, people play with colours and wish each other a Happy Holi. Dry powdered colour is used to play Holi, or pichkari (water gun) is used, filled with colours and water.
But did you ever think, how colours came to be a part of Holi? It was believed that Lord Krishna used to celebrate Holi with colours and played with his friends at Vrindavan and Gokul. He used to apply colours on his beloved Radha. Initially, the colours used in Holi festival were made by using flowers of ‘tesu’ or ‘palash’ tree, which are known as gulal.
Other colours including bright red and deep orange colours were made by collecting flowers from the forest, which were dried and then used. But nowadays people use artificial colours, which can harm skin and hair.
Why is Holi celebrated?
It is said that there was a demon king named Hiranyakashyap, who was immortal. He wanted everyone to worship him and treat him like God, but his son Prahlada was a devotee of Lord Vishnu.
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| Bhakt Prahlad And Holika |
So the king decided to kill his son and told his sister Holika to enter a bonfire with Prahlad in her lap. As Holika had a unique power, wherein she could protect herself from fire, it was Prahlad’s life that was in danger. Lord Vishnu helped save Prahlad and Holika was burnt in the fire.
The Lord also killed King Hiranyakashyap. Hence, Holi is celebrated to mark the victory of good over evil.
When is Holi?
1. Holika Dahan (March 09, 2020)
Holika Dahan is on March 09, Monday. On the eve of Holi, after the sunset people set up a bonfire and celebrate Holika Dahan by singing various songs and rhymes. This ritual symbolises the victory of good over evil and devotees pray and seek divine blessings.
The bonfire signifies Holika who tricked Prahlad into the fire but was burnt to ashes herself. The Holika Dahan Muhurta starts from 06:23 pm to 20:52 pm, on 09, March 2020. Married women perform a particular ritual before the Holika Dahan and have a special thali for the puja.
2. The main festival Holi (March 10, 2020)
On the next day, the main Holi celebrations that is Rang Panchami or Dhulendi begin. Kids and adults, everyone plays with colours and applies gulal on each other.
Image Credit: Unsplash Some even throw water or colour balls at each other, and children use pichkaris. After Holi is played to the fullest, it’s time for a Holi party and people try to spend the rest of the evening with their family members, friends and relatives.
On Holi, people prepare traditional delicacies like the Dahi Bhalle, Puran Poli, Malpua, Thandai, Gujia and some more dishes which are loved by everyone. Happy Holi!
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