Holi Hai!!!

By: Sheetal Puri

Holi a festival filled with hues

The emergence of Holi festival is believed to be before the Christ. Historians also count on that the Holi was celebrated by all Aryans but more so in the eastern part of India. Although the festival is mostly celebrated in India and Nepal, it has also spread to other parts of Asia and the western world through migration from the Indian subcontinent. Holi festival is popular around the world. You can participate in this celebration in cities like New York, Sao Paulo, Hong Kong, Barcelona, Sydney, Vancouver and many others in the world.

Holi is celebrated by almost all religions in India with lots of pomp and show due to its phenomenal fun and anarchic atmosphere. It is celebrated on the Purnima of Hindu Lunar calendar in the month of Phalgun. Holi is celebrated most of the time in the end of February or early

March. It foreshadows the arrival of spring season and celebrates the end of winter season. This year the festival of Holi is commencing on 18th MARCH, 2022.

Looking into the present scenario let the colours of Holi spread the message of peace and happiness this year and for the coming years.

Mythological significance

Holi is not just a fiesta of colours and a feast of sweets. Holi like all other festivals also has its fair part of legendary significance. It reminds us of the divine and eternal love of Lord

Krishna and Radha. Lord Krishna is associated with play of colours as he applied colour on his beloved Radha and other Gopis. Gradually, the play was vogued with the people and became a tradition. Therefore, Holi festival demands love and respect in the relationships.

It also reminds us one of the most remarked mythology characters Narashima, Prahlad, Hiranyakashyapa and demoness Holika. Hiranyakashyapa wanted everyone to worship only him and not to his brother Lord Vishnu. Unfortunately, his son Prahlad became an ardent devotee of Narashima(half man and half lion). Hiranyakashyapa commanded his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. Holika had a boon that she could enter fire without harming herself. However, she was not aware that the boon worked only if she enters alone in the fire. As the result, she paid a price for her minacious desires, while Prahlad was saved by the grace of the God for his extreme devotion. The festival, therefore, celebrates the victory of good over evil and also the triumph of devotion.

Holi Hai….

The predominantly stimulating part is how this festival is celebrated. One day prior to Holi festival, people meet in open areas and gather around the Holika