INDIA
DNA Web Team | Mar 20, 2019, 10:36 AM IST
1.Holi: A brief explanation
The festival of Holi is celebrated by Hindus in India and Nepal as the festival of colour. This festival is celebrated in spring and involves playing with water and colour.
According to the Hindu calendar, Holi is celebrated on Phalgun Purnima which comes in the either the month of February or March according to the Gregorian Calendar.
2.The myth behind Holi
The word Holi derives its name from Holika who is the sister of Hiranyakashipu. This is how the Hindu mythology story goes: King Hiranyakashipu, the great demons ruler was granted a boon by Brahma, the god of wisdom and this made it almost impossible for him to be killed. The boon was a gift due to his long penance. Consequently, he grew arrogant and attacked the Heavens and the Earth. He demanded that people stop worshipping gods and start praising him.
Hiranyakashipu's own son, Prahlada, was a devotee of Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu threatened him to stop but Prahlada continued offering prayers to Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu poisoned him, but the poison turned to nectar in his mouth. He was ordered to be trampled by elephants yet remained unharmed. He was put in a room with hungry, poisonous snakes and survived.
All of Hiranyakashipu's attempts to kill his son failed. Finally, he ordered Prahlada to sit on a pyre in the lap of Holika, Hiranyakashipu's demoness sister, who also could not die because she had a boon preventing her from being burned by fire. Prahlada readily accepted his father's orders, and prayed to Lord Vishnu to keep him safe. When the fire started, everyone watched in amazement as Holika burnt to death, while Prahlada survived unharmed.
3.Why it's called Holi
The salvation of Prahlada and burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi. People burn bonfires on the eve of Holi to commemorate this event in mythology. This event is known as Holika Dahan or the burning of Holika also called Chhoti Holi or small Holi, after the fire Holika Dahan prayers are said and god is praised. In the South of India, Holika Dahan is referred to as Kama Dahanam.
In Mathura, where Krishna grew up, the festival is celebrated for 16 days till Rangpanchmi and celebrates Radha's divine love for Krishna. The festival officially ushers in spring, the season of love.
4.Holi and the 'bhaang' association
In different parts of the country, Holi is celebrated with different traditions and many people drink Bhaang—an intoxicating drink. This is also added to some mouth watering delicacies like pakoras and thandai to enhance the mood of the festival.
Hindi movies and serials have many depictions of people drinking bhang and celebrating Holi but in real life it isn't as hyped as it is made on screen.
5.Use of water and colour
Colour and water is thrown as people of all age groups get together to celebrate the festival which is associated with family, fun and joy. Earlier, the colours were traditionally made of Neem leaves, herbs like Kumkum, Haldi, Bilva, turmeric, sandalwood paste, extracts of flowers and leaves, etc.
Today, synthetic colours are used but over the past few years there have been reports of poisonous substances in the colours.
With water shortage, the wastage of water during the festival is being discouraged. The deforestation to get firewood to burn the fire is an issue being raised.
Many people are becoming conscious of the threat to nature and eco-friendly Holi is being celebrated at many places
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