Holi – Not Just the Festival of Colors
Updated: Mar 17
Holi is a popular ancient Hindu festival, also known as the "Festival of Love", the "Festival of Colors''
and the "Festival of Spring” celebrated on Falgun Poorunima (Full moon in the Hindu calendar
month of Falgun) which fenerally fall in the month of March of Gregorian calendar . The festivities
officially usher in spring, with Holi celebrated as a festival of love. The festival celebrates the
triumph of good over evil, as it celebrates the victory of Vishnu as Narasimha Narayana over
Hiranyakashipu. It also signifies eternal and divine love of Radha Krishna. The festivities officially
usher in spring, with Holi celebrated as a festival of love. It originated and is predominantly
celebrated in the Indian subcontinent but has also spread to other regions of Asia and parts of the
Western world through the Indian diaspora.
This festival is celebrated over a period of 2 days. The first day is Choti Holi where in evening Holika
Dahan (burning of Demon Holika) takes place and the following day is Holi which is played with
colors and flowers
Holi in Pihwai Art
This color playing Holi is known with different names in different states of India and also has very
unique local flavors and traditions in this festival. Apart from Holi, this festival is known with various
local & regional names such as Dhulandi ( Haryana), Phagwah (Bihar), Ukul Manjal Kuli (kerala),
Yaosang (Manipur), Kahila Holi ( Uttarakhand) , Shigmo (Goa), Jajiri (Telangana) , Hola Mohalla
(Punjab), Dola (West Bengal).
Traditions & Cultural significance.
The Holi festival has a cultural significance and is the festive day to end oneself of past errors, to end conflicts by meeting Bhil painting others, a day to forget and forgive. People pay or forgive debts, as well as deal anew with those in their lives. Holi also marks the start of spring, an occasion for people to enjoy the changing seasons and make new friends.
Although the festival of Holi is best known today for its party atmosphere, it also has ancient Origin
& a religious significance. Holi is referenced in the Vedas, Puranas, and even in stone inscription
from 300 BC found at Ramgarh. There are also representations of the celebration is sculptures and
murals on old temple walls in different part of India. For example, a temple at Hampi has a 16th
century panel depicting a prince and princess about to be drenched in colored water. This is just one
of several examples of royalty taking part in Holi celebrations during the medieval period. Various
traditional painting of India have clear depiction of Holi festival in their art work since its inception.
Religious History
There is a legend to explain why Holi is celebrated as a festival of triumph of good over evil in the
honor of Hindu god Vishnu and his devotee Prahalad. King Hiranyakashipu father of Prahalad,
according to a legend found in chapter 7 of Bhagavata Purana, was the king of demonic Asuras, and
had earned a boon that gave him five special powers. As per that he could not be killed by human or
animal, neither indoors nor outdoors, neither at day nor at night, neither by astra (projectile
weapons) nor by any shastra (handheld weapons), and neither on land nor in water or air. With this
Hiranyakashipu grew arrogant, thought he was God, and demanded that everyone worship only him.
Hiranyakashipu's own son, Prahalad, however, disagreed. He was and remained devoted to Vishnu.
This infuriated Hiranyakashipu. He subjected Prahalad to cruel punishments, none of which affected
the boy or his resolve to do what he thought was right. Finally, Holika, Prahalad's evil aunt, tricked
him into sitting on a pyre with her. Holika was wearing a cloak that made her immune to injury from
fire, while Prahlada was not. As the fire roared, the cloak flew from Holika and encased Prahalad,
who survived while Holika burned. Seeing this Hiranyakashipu himself charged towards Prahalad to
kill him.
That time Lord Vishnu, appeared as an Narsimha Avtar to restore Dharma. This Narsimha avtar is
special one which is half human and half lion (which is neither a human nor an animal), at dusk
(when it was neither day nor night), took Hiranyakashipu at a doorstep (which was neither indoors
nor outdoors), placed him on his lap (which was neither land, water nor air), and then eviscerated
and killed the king with his lion claws (which were neither a handheld weapon nor a launched
weapon).The Holika bonfire and Holi signifies the celebration of the symbolic victory of good over
evil, of Prahalad over Hiranyakashipu, and of the fire that burned Holika. It is believed that Holika
was created to ward off all sorts of fear. Hence Holika, although a Demoness, is worshipped along
with Prahlada before Holika Dahan
`Holi in Madhubani Art
The color of play in this festival has a popular legend behind it. It is said that the naughty and
mischievous Lord Krishna started the trend of playing colors. Radha was a fair skin girl whereas
Krishna has darker skin tones. He applied color on her beloved Radha to make her like him. The
trend soon gained popularity among the masses. No wonder, there is no match to the Holi of
Mathura, Vrindavan and Barsana – the places associated with the birth and childhood of Radha and
Krishna.
The Celebration
Holika Dahan – It is believed that all sorts of fear can be conquered by doing Holika Puja on Holi.
Holika Puja bestows power, prosperity and wealth. Days before the festival people start gathering
wood and uple ( Cow dung cakes) and other combustible materials for the bonfire in parks,
community centres, near temples and other open spaces. The place where Holika is kept is rinsed
with cow dung and the holy water of river. A wooden pole is kept in the center and surrounded with
beads or garlands of toys made of cow dung which are popularly known as Gulari, Bharbholiye or
Badkula. Holika pile is decorated with shields, swords, sun, moon, stars and other toys made of cow
dung. Idols of Holika and Prahlada usually made of cow dung are placed on the top of the heap.
During Holika Dahan, the idol of Prahlada is taken out. Also, four beads of cow dung are kept safe
before the bonfire. One is kept safe in the name of ancestors, second in the name of God Hanuman,
third in name of Goddess Sheetala and fourth in the name of the family. On top of the pyre is an
effigy to signify Holika who tricked Prahalad into the fire. On the eve of Holi, typically at or after
sunset, the pyre is lit, signifying Holika Dahan. The ritual symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
People sing and dance around the fire. People also
Holi Of Colors – Great excitement can be seen in people on the next day when it is actually the time
for the play of colors. People get all the time to get crazy and wacky. Bright colors of gulal and abeer
fill the air and people take turns in pouring color water over each other. Children take special delight
in spraying colors on one another with their Pichkaris (Water Guns) and throwing water balloons at
passers by. Women and senior citizens form groups called tolis and move in colonies – applying
colors and exchanging greetings, Songs, dance on the rhythm of dholak and mouthwatering Holi
delicacies such as Gujhiya & Jalebi, Fafda & Gathiya are the other highlights of the day. Thandai &
Ecstasy of Bhang is also associated with Holi. There is also a very popular tradition of consuming
Thandai & intoxicating bhang on this day.
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