Significance of Holi
Holi, the celebration of colours, joy and love is one of
the major Hindu festivals that are celebrated during the spring season. It is
celebrated as festival of love and triumph of good over evil.
According to the Hindu calendar Holi is celebrated on the
Phalgun Poornima (Full Moon), which as per the Gregorian calendar is in the
month of February - March.
This ancient festival has gained popularity with non -
Hindus residing in parts of South Asia and other parts of the world. Holi is
celebrated in Nepal, Americas and European countries which have people of
Indian origin and Hindus.
Holika Dahan
Holika Dahan is an integral and the most important ritual
of Holi festival.It is a religious ceremony during which people roast the “Jau”
in the fire of Holika and bring them to their home for the goodness of their
family members. One of the many mythological explainations given for Holika
Dahan is that Holika, the sister of King Hiranyakashyap sat in the fire with
Prahlad on her lap as per the order of the King. She intended to burn Prahlad
in the fire as she was blessed by Brahma for never being harmed by fire. But with blessings of Lord Vishnu,
Prahlad remained unscathed while the Holika was reduced to ashes signifying the
triumph of good over evil.
Rituals of Holi
Holi is celebrated with fervour in the Braj
regions(places related to the life of Lord Krishna which include Mathura,
Vrindavan, Gowardhan, Gokul, Nandgaon, and Barsana.
The Lathmar Holi of Barsana is world famous.
Holi is a two day festival. The first day of Holi is
known as Holika Dahan, or Chhoti Holi. This day is celebrated by lighting a
bonfire made of Bamboos, grass and cow-dung cakes. It depicts the burning of
Holika and the victory of good over
evil. In South India, it is known as Kama Dahanam.
The second day is known as Rangwali Holi or Dhulandi, or
Dhuleti. This is the day when people smear each other with coloured powder
called Gulal, Abeer and throw coloured water on friends and families.
Holi also signifies the end of the cold and gloomy winter
with the arrival of Spring. The festivities include celebration for the harvest
season.
The festival of Holi can be very closely related to the
Spanish festival Tomatina, where revelers throw smashed tomatoes on each other,
as beautifully depicted in the Bollywood blockbuster Zindagi Na Milegi Dobaara.
Holi has a cultural and spiritual significance attached
to it as it gives a chance to rid oneself of past mistakes and start their lives
anew with new hope and happiness.
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