Holi 2024: History, Rituals, and Significance of the festival of Colours, Written By-Dr.Rashmi Vajpayee

 

Holi is the lively and bright festival of India. It represents the vibrancy of life. It is also a festival of the victory of good over evil. Holi is celebrated in two events: Holika Dahan and Dhulandi (colorful Holi). Holika Dahan is celebrated the night before Dhulandi. During Holika Dahan, a night before the Holi, people hold a bonfire to symbolize the pyre that was formed to annihilate Prahlad. On this fire, cow dung, wooden pieces, dried grasses, and various eco-friendly things are kept, that can keep the environment healthy. This year Holika Dahan will be celebrated on March 24. 

Dhulandi happens the morning after Holika Dahan. In 2024, Dhulandi will be celebrated on March 25th. It is a loud affair where people apply color on each other as a sign of affection. This enriches the feeling of attachment and forgiveness amongst the people. Past conflicts and grudges are fixed with the colorful festival of happiness. Applying color to loved ones is regarded as very auspicious and affectionate.

History

Holi is one of the oldest festivals in India. There are many fascinating tales associated with the festival's origin. The most famous stories of Holi are Holika Dahan and the Legend of Radha-Krishna.

 

1)Story of Prahlad and Holika-

According to Bhagvad Purana, King Hiranyakashipu-the king of devilish Asuras, who could neither be annihilated by a man nor an animal, raised cruel and demanded that everybody should adore him as a god. Hiranyakashyap prevented his son Prahlad from worshipping God Vishnu. However, his son was a believer of Lord Vishnu and denied worshiping his father. 

                                                         

Getting furious at him, the king invited his sister Holika to hold his son and sit in a pyre. While sitting in the fire, Prahlad was protected by Lord Vishnu but Holika died, therefore the day is also known as Holika Dahan. 

consequently, Lord Vishnu took the avatar of Narasimha which was half-human, and the half-lion, and destroyed the demon king. Due to this Holi is also acknowledged as the day when the good victories over the evil and people begin afresh.

 

2)Story of Radha and Krishna- 

Another legend that is associated with the day concerns Lord Krishna who is also an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Lord Krishna, who is known to be very naughty and lively was worried about his complexion and felt that Radha would never like him because she was extremely fair.

                                                         

On complaining about the same to his mother Yashoda, she suggested Krishna to apply color on Radha and so he did making her look like him. Since then people drenching each other with colors on Holi.

Rituals -

1) Holi is celebrated as Basant Utsav in rural India. It is one of the significant festivals in India and is celebrated with extreme zeal and enjoyment. Gulal, abeer and pichkaris are synonymous with the festival. 

Temples are beautifully decorated at the time of Holi. The idol of Radha and Krishna is seated on swings and devotees move the swings singing divine Holi songs.

2) People celebrate Holi by splashing water and drenching each other with colors. 

                                                       

Children relish the day by playing with water balloons and water guns. Some People hosted Parties and they dance on popular Holi songs.

3)Lathmar Holi is celebrated in Barsana, Uttar Pradesh, which is also the home of goddess Radha, where women hit men with a lath or sticks while they try to protect themselves. The Holi celebrations of Mathura and Vrindavan are also very prominent.

4)The historical Badshah Mela of Beawar gives the message of nationwide unity while presenting a glimpse of the colorful culture of Rajasthan. 

During the Badshah Mela, thousands of people of all religions, and castes gather here to get the Red-Colored Gulal by joining the emperor's ride. Like every year, Badshah's fair at Beawar will be observed with Great zeal on the next day of Dhulandi.

5)Gujiya is a famous North Indian sweet dish that is traditionally relished during the Holi festival. Gujiya is a fried dish that is made with Maida. 

                           

It is stuffed with a sweet filling of khoya (Mawa), dry fruits, saffron, coconut, and sugar. Gujiyas are presented to everyone who comes across to color.

Significance

Holi enables us to bring society together and strengthen the secular fabric of our country. The ritual of the Holi is that even the rivals turn friends on Holi and people do not distinguish between the rich and poor and everybody celebrates the festival together with a heart of brotherhood.

In the evening people visit friends and families to exchange gifts, sweets, and greetings. This helps in refreshing relationships and boosting emotional bonds between people.

 Happy Holi to you and your family! 😊

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About Rashmi Vajpayee

Hello friends I am DrRashmi Vajpayee,PhD Awardee,Assistant professor and founder of Rashmi Vajpayee's Confessions on Culture.Here I share everything about Indian Culture and Festivals.I hope you guys enjoy my content so keep reading!.

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