Significance of Holi in India-Festival of Colours

Come March Schools, teachers and parents are busy with annual examination preparations. This is time when festival of colours also comes as stress buster or heat reliever. Children especially, await for Holi, Holi- festival of colours. Again, if one observer closely, let apart playing with colours, Holi has other aspects for its celebrations. It cuts apart the socio-cultural, religious and biological disparities and calls for universal celebrations. Holi merges the wide gaps between social classes and brings all Hindus together. Today, other religion followers are also observing and enjoying this festival. Together, the rich and poor, women and men, enjoy each other’s presence. Further, Holi also to some extent provides fexibility and relaxation in the social norms, as a result the atmosphere is filled with excitement and joy.

Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (February/March), (Phalgun Purnima), which usually falls in the later part of February or early March.

This festival of colours is primarily observed by Hindus in India, Nepal, Pakistan, and countries with large Indian diaspora populations following Hinduism, such as, Malaysia, Guyana, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States, Mauritius, and Fiji. In some states of India such as West Bengal and Orissa, it is known as Dolyatra Doul Jatra in Bengali, or Basanta-Utsav "spring festival". The most celebrated Holi is in the Braj region, in locations connected to the Lord Krishna: Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandagaon, and Barsana.Here, this festival goes fro seven days. In Northern Karanataka it is known as Ranga Panchami fifth day of the full moon day. This festival is observed for Five days.

In North India Holi is also known as Dhuli in Sanskrit, also Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is celebrated by people throwing scented powder and perfume at each other. Bonfires are lit on the eve of the festival, also known as Holika Dahan (burning of Holika) or Chhoti Holi (little Holi).

Mythological References:

Most of the festivals celebrated in India have strong references from the mythology. References about the celebration of Holi also have its reference from Indian Mythology.

One such story is from the legend of Prahlad and Hiranyakshyap, or Hiranyakshyapu or Hiranyakshypa as he is called in various regions. The legend says there once lived a devil and powerful demon king, Hiranyakshyapu who considered himself a god and wanted everybody to worship him. Chanting of Hari or worshipping of Hari was abolished by him. To his great surprise, his son, Prahlad a small boy began to worship, Lord Vishnu and he becomes adherent follower of Lord Vishnu. In order to punish his son and to teach him a lesson, Prahlad and orders death sentence. Hiranyakshyapu severely punishes his son Prahalad by dropping him from mountain, he is thrown in deep sea, poisonous snakes and scorpions are also left in his room, he is kept in dark room, Mad elephants are sent to crush him down, Milk with poison is given to drink. All his attempts fail, as Prahlad is rescued by Lord Vishnu every time. Finally, in order to get rid of his son, Hiranyakshyapu asked his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap, as she had a boon to enter fire unscathed. Legend has it that Prahlad was saved for his extreme devotion for the lord while Holika paid a price for her sinister desire. She in return was granted a boon that the day will be colourful and everyone shall paly with colour and remember her. The tradition of burning Holika or the 'Holika dahan' comes mainly from this legend.

Yet another reference is made in Bhagavatham wherein, Radha and Krishna who in extreme delight have played with colours. Krishna took in applying colour on Radha and other gopis. This prank of Krishna later, became a trend and a part of the Holi festivities.

This is the legend most commonly narrated in SOuth India: The story of Kamadeva, a god of love. Kama's body was destroyed when he shot his weapon at Shiva in order to disrupt his meditation and help Parvati to marry Shiva. Shiva then opened his third eye, the burning gaze of which was so powerful that Kama's body was reduced to ashes. For the sake of Kama's wife Rati (passion), Shiva restored him, but only as a mental image, representing the true emotional and spiritual state of love rather than physical lust. The Holi bonfire is believed to be celebrated in commemoration of this event.

Rituals Associated with Holi

The earliest textual reference to the celebration of Holi is found in the 7th century Sanskrit drama, Ratnavali. Certainly there are perennial rituals attached to Holi: the first is smearing of coloured powder on each other, and throwing coloured and scented water at each time. On the first day of this festival, Hindus participate in a public bonfire. Prior to the event, men prepare for this by collecting extra wood. The fire itself is lit near midnight, as the moon rises. The main custom of Holi is the use of the colored powders and water on others. This is why Holi is given the name “Festival of Colors.” (Source wikipedia.com.

Holi and Hindi Films:Many hindi films have picturised dance sequence on Holi song as Highlight. "Ranga Barase Bhige Chunarvalli from Silsila" and "Holi ke din Dil Kihil Jathe hain from Sholay" are popular even today.

Holi in Present Day:

Present day, curfew or Section 144 is imposed in most of the cities and towns in India. Timings are again fixed for the observation of the festival. Usually incidents of communal disturbances takes place especially in the high populated areas of Hindu and Muslims and police are in patrola at every junction. One has to be careful and watchful. It is more of festivity of tension than joy.

Again, many are now propagating Eco friendly holi- use of safe coloyr dyes and home made one.--Good attempt and awareness building.

!!! Happy and Safe Holi!!!