Holi is celebrated in India in the month of Phalguna Purnima (February - March), on full moon. It is also known as festival of colour and festival of love. Even though it is an ancient Hindu religious festival, people from other religions and communities also take part in the Holi celebrations with equal fervour.
This year Holi falls on 6th March. People from across the country are in the final stages of their preparations of the festival, with just one day remaining. Gulaal, coloured water balloons, music, dhol (drums) are usually a part of the festival's merry making.
Take Care of Your Skin and use only Organic colours this Holi If you don’t mind getting wet and dirty then Holi is almost fun to play. Colors these days are made of chemicals so make sure that you apply oil or moisturiser in your body and face and your hair thoroughly to prevent any damage from the chemicals used in the colors. Protect your eyes from these chemical colours. Doctors advise to use only Organic colour as it is safe for skin. |
HISTORY
Celebration of Holi is associated with an ancient King of India, Hiranyakashipu, in the Pre-christian era. He was an evil king who wanted to avenge the death of his brother who was killed by Lord Vishnu. To gain more power the king performed many prayers for years and was granted a boon. After getting the power Hiranyakashipu, considered himself a God and thought he was invincible. Filled with arrogance he ordered his people to worship him like God.
The demon King had a young son, named Prahalad, who was a dedicated devotee of Lord Vishnu. So without obeying his father’s order, he continued to worship Lord Vishnu. So the king eventually decided to get rid of his son and tried to do so in many ways, but Prahalad always managed to escape.
The King then asked help from his sister ‘Holika’, who was immune to fire; she would sit in the fire with Prahalad on her lap, so they could burn him alive.
A pyre was built and Holika sat with Prahalad in her lap, but their plan did not go through as Prahalad, who was reciting the name of Lord Vishnu throughout, was safe and Holika was burned to ashes.
Prahalad, representative of good triumphed, while the defeat of Holika signifies the burning of all that is bad. It is from Holika that the term Holi originated.
In some states of Northern India, a pyre in the form of bonfire is lit on the day before Holi, to symbolize the burning of Holika and to celebrate good over evil.
Holi is also linked with another legend and is associated with the immortal love of Radha and Krishna.
According to Hindu beliefs, it was Krishna, the King of the ancient city Dwarka, who popularized the tradition of Holi. He used to play Holi with his friends at Vrindavan and Gokul.
Eventually they made this a community event where everyone in the village participated.
Krishna use to drench the village girls (Gopis), at first they were offended but they were so fond of Krishna that soon their anger was washed away. It did not take long for other boys to join in and soon it became a popular sport in the village.
The Holi observed by Krishna and Radha with the Gopis is well documented in hundreds of ancient paintings, murals and scriptures.
How Colour become part of Holi festival
Lord Krishna used to play Holi with colours, with his friends all across the village. Holi colours earlier were made from flower of tesu and palash tree and known as ‘Gulal’. These colours used to be safe for skin as they were devoid of chemicals. As years passed by this old festival of Holi acquired a new significance.
Farmers celebrate Holi after seeing their new crops. Because of this reason, Holi is also known as ‘Vasant Mahotsava’.
Today people have forgotten the true meaning of Holi and have started playing Holi with harmful colors made from chemicals, which results in many people to keep away from the festival.
High Alert
Security Tightened in Mathura and Vrindavan As the country is engulfed in the festival of colour, security has been tightened throughout the country. Especially, in Mathura and Vrindavan.
Police people have been assigned in uniform and civil dress to avoid any miscreant activity or any terror attack.
Brij Bhumi has already started observing Holi and pilgrims have had a privilege of watching and playing famous ‘Lathmar Holi’ at Sri Krishna Janmsthan.
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