HOLI

Bura na maano Holi haiii…………..!!!!!!!!!!!!

HOLI is the festival of colors, but what does HOLI mean?

The word “Holi” is derived from the Sanskrit language. The Sanskrit word Holika or Holi, translates to “to burn” or “to demolish”. So, Holi is the best time to burn down all your evil thoughts, and habits and start fresh.

Holi is also known as the “Festival of Colors” or the “Festival of Love” and is widely celebrated by Hindus all around the world and not just in India. Apart from Diwali, Holi is the most celebrated festival in Indian communities across the globe. According to the Hindu calendar, Holi is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Phalguna month which falls in late February or early March. Thus, the date varies every year according to the Hindu lunar calendar and is determined by the Panchang.

The festival typically lasts for two days :
Day 1: Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi
Day 2: Holi, Rangwali Holi, Dhulandi, or Badi Holi.

Lets learn more about Holika Dahan.

Story Behind Holika Dahan :

Holika Dahan, also known as Chhoti Holi, is the first day of the Holi festival and is celebrated on the night before the main day of Rangwali Holi. Holika Dahan is the ritual burning of a bonfire in the night to commemorate the victory of good over evil and the triumph of devotion over arrogance.

The story is associated with the legend of Prahlada and his evil father, Hiranyakashipu, and his sister, Holika. Prahlada was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu but his evil father believed that he was greater than Lord Vishnu and forced his son to become his devotee instead, which Prahalda refused. Arrogant father of Prahalda wanted to kill his own son, and after many failed attempts to kill him, he sought help from his sister. So his sister Holika, who had been blessed with immunity to fire, tried to kill Prahlada by entering a blazing fire with him on her lap, but due to the divine protection of Lord Vishnu, Prahlada survived while Holika was burnt to ashes. The bonfire symbolizes the burning of Holika, and the ritual signifies the end of winter and the beginning of spring, purifying the air, and warding off evil spirits.

How we celebrate Holika Dahan at home/ with the community :

Holika Dahan is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm across India, and people gather around the bonfire to sing, dance, and offer prayers. It is a time for people to come together, forget their differences, and celebrate the joys of life. The ashes of the bonfire are considered to be sacred and are believed to have healing properties, and people often apply the ashes on their foreheads as a form of blessing. Overall, Holika Dahan is an important part of the Holi festival and holds great cultural and religious significance.


How we celebrate Holi at Home/ with the community :

Holi promotes social harmony and strengthens relationships, as people exchange greetings, sweets, and gifts. Holi is also known as the festival of colors, where people throw colored powders and water at each other, and smear each other’s faces with colored powders. This signifies forgiveness, letting go of grudges, and starting anew. Holi is an important part of India’s cultural heritage, and it showcases the diversity and richness of Indian traditions and customs.

The pooja procedure on Holi may vary depending on the specific traditions and customs followed by different families and communities. Here are some commonly followed rituals:

• Wake up early in the morning before sunrise and offer prayers to Lord Surya, and Lord Vishnu and apply holi color tilak to Lord Krishna’s idol.
• After offering prayers, offer sweets like Gujjiya, Halwa, and other delicacies.
• Usually, after pooja people apply oil to their bodies and wear old clothes/ clothes that are fine to get the color marks and go out to play Holi with colors with their family, friends, and community.

The festival is not limited to any particular age group or gender and is enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. It is a time for people to come together and embrace the spirit of unity and happiness.

I tried to share the little information I knew about Holi in this article. Do let me know how you celebrate Holi in the comments section below.

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Stay Blessed and Happy Holiiii!!