Holi, the popular Indian festival is known as the “festival of colors”, the “festival of spring”, and the “festival of love”. Holi festival announces the passing of winter, the arrival of spring, the blossoming of love. The festival is celebrated on the full moon day in March by singing, and dancing, and throwing colors. It is a festive day of colors, emotions, and happiness.
Holi is a Hindi word that means “burning”. How Holi is associated with “burning” is a myth; you will read it in the next part. Holi is a festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. The festival has great importance in Indian and Nepalese cultures.
Myths of Holi Festival
There are different popular myths of the Holi festival, including the immortal love of Krishna and Radha. However, the myth of Holika and Prahalad is the most ancient one. Holika was a powerful female demon and sister of Hiranyakashyap, the demon king. Prahalad, the son of Hiranyakashyap was a faithful devotee of the god Vishnu.
The demon king hated his son for being a devotee of Vishnu as the king considered him superior to all gods. The king attempted to murder his son, but his all attempts became failed. Then the king asked his sister, Holika, to kill his son. Holika had a magic power given by the gods that made her fire-resistant.
Holika planned and sat in the middle of a fire with Prahalad on her lap. Prahalad was protected by Vishnu, though Holika was burned to ashes. Gods took her power since she was using the power to do something evil.
During the Holi festival, the large bonfires are burned to celebrate the story. The moral of the myth is that good and truth prevail over evils and evils are always destroyed.
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Holi Festival, A Festival Of Colors, Love, And Happiness
Holi, the popular Indian festival is known as the “festival of colors”, the “festival of spring”, and the “festival of […]
Festivities of Holi Festival
Holi is celebrated as a National festival in both India and Nepal. The festival carries the message of love, emotions, and happiness in the hearts of people.
In Nepal, the celebrations prolong two days. On the first day, a large bonfire is burned in the evening, which event is known as Holika Dahan. Religious rituals are taken place during Holika Dahan. On the second day, Holi is celebrated by throwing colors on each other, with family, friends, relatives, and neighbors.
In India, Holi is a day to celebrate with colors, loud music, and dance. All levels and ages of people celebrate the festival by applying and throwing color powders and liquid colors on each other clothes and faces. The country becomes colorful with shades of red, yellow, blue, pink, purple, and green.
Holi in Different Countries
Though Holi is an ancient Hindu religious festival, it has become popular in other community people, many parts of South Asia, and the world as a celebration of spring, love, and color. Other than India and Nepal, the festival is celebrated in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, Mauritius, Jamaica, Suriname, Guyana, Malaysia, Canada, Russia, Fiji, Spain, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Indian people who live away from their country, a festival like Holi keeps them connected to their culture and give a chance to spend a day with their close people. Let see at some of the countries where people celebrate Holi with great ardor and fervor.
Mauritius
Holi is celebrated by people of all religions. People enjoy the festival by playing with dry and wet colors.
UK
Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm with color, music, foods, and entertainment in the UK, where Indians are the second-largest ethnic minority.
Australia
Holi is celebrated in grand style every year in many different cities in Australia in which the Indian communities are settled.
USA
Holi is celebrated in grand style in the USA with a large number of Indians settled in there. (Image Credit: The Queen 2019)
South Africa
The Indian community in South Africa celebrates Holi with all rituals, including Holika Dahan and playing with colors.
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