Holi is the festival of colors. It is celebrated the day after the full moon in the early March; according to Hindu calendar, in the month of Phagun. It is a festival which is celebrated to welcome spring. Along with the fun and excitement of the holiday, Holi holds a historical importance for Hindus.
Holi is historically celebrated two days; even though some cities and states enjoy the festival for five or more days. Holi is one festival when social restrictions related to caste, sex, status and age are loosened. In other words, this festival of colors bridges all social gaps and brings everyone together. On these two days, no one thinks about enemies, thus applies colors to everyone who comes in front of them and says bura na mano, Holi hai ("don't feel offended, it's Holi").
The celebration of Holi involves an evil king named Hiranyakaship. He had prohibited his son Prahlad from worshipping Lord Vishnu, but he continued to do offering prayers to the god. Hiranyakaship became angry with his son, Pralhad and challenged him to sit on a pyre with his wicked aunt Holika who was believed to be immune to fire. On the order of brother Hiranyakaship, Holika put herself and Prahlad on the fire. Prahlad accepted the challenge and prayed to Vishnu to keep him safe. When the fire started, everyone was stunned as they watched Holika burnt to death, while Prahlad survived without any scar. The burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi. It is said that Holika begged Prahlad for forgiveness before her death, and he announced that she would be remembered every year at Holi. .
Today, the first day of Holi is celebrated with a public bonfire in the evening remembering the burning of Holika. Traditionally, boys in the community spend the weeks prior to Holi collecting dried leaves and branches they can find for the bonfire. Usually, the bonfire is lit between 10 PM and midnight (at the rising of the moon), not generally in an orderly fashion. Everyone gathers in the street for the event, and the air rings with shouts, catcalls, curses and general mayhem
Second day of the festival of Holi is associated with the immortal love of Radha and Lord Krishna. The young Krishna complained to his mother Yashoda about why Radha was so fair and he was so dark. Yashoda advised him to apply color on Radha's face and see how her complexion would change. In addition, Lord Krishna is believed to have popularized the festival by playing pranks on the gopis/ cowgirls. Holi is celebrated for 16 days in Vrindavan and Mathura due to the fact that these are the two cities with which Lord Krishna shares his deep affection.
Krishna's followers everywhere finds a special meaning in this joyous festival. The laughter and pranks played in this festival is considered to be in imitation of Krishna's play with the gopis/ cowgirls. The morning after the bonfire, friends and family go to each other and apply colored powder to each other, throw water balloons and splash colored water on everyone. This is what makes Holi: Festival of Colors.
Toh yaaron, Bura na maano, Holi Hai…. Wishing you all a very Happy and Colorful Holi! Hope this Holi brings you and your family lots and lots of success and happiness!
