All About Holi Festival
Holi is a prominent festival of Hinduism, which is celebrated every year by Hindus across the world. In Hindu-majority countries, such as India and Nepal, this festival is at its peak.On the day of Holi, the entire nation get painted by the colours of this vibrant festival. Besides, this festival also denotes many things such as the arrival of Spring, the end of winter season and most important the victory of good over evil.
This is a day for people to restore their broken friendships, forgive and forget enmity, and get coloured by the colors of harmony and brotherhood. It is also celebrated as a blessing for good crop yield.
When is Holi Celebrated?
According to the Bikram Sambat calendar (Hindu calendar), Holi is celebrated for two days of the Purnima (the full moon day) in the Hindu month of Falgun. In the Gregorian calendar (the standard calendar) Holi generally, lies in between the end of February and the middle of March.
The celebrations begin on the first day, which is referred as Choti Holi or Holika Dahan. The real, grand Holi is on the second day and is known as Dhuleti, Rangwali Holi, etc.
This year Holi is going to be celebrated on March 10, 2020 and Holika dahan on March 9, 2020.
History of Holi Fest
Though the beginning of Holi festival is still a mystery as it origins is still untraced. During the later medieval period or the 17th century, this vibrant and joyful festival has fascinated British colonials and Europeans traders. Which is why many old editions of Oxford English dictionary have this word. It is a very ancient festival.Holi has its name mentioned in ancient Indian literature and holy books such as Puranas, Dasakumara Charita, Kalidasa works (a 4th-century poet in the reign of Chandragupta II). A 7th century Sanskrit drama Ratnavali also has stated this festival. But this festival is way more ancient than these evidences.
Other Stories Associated with Holi
There are many stories associated with Holi. Let’s look at the Hindu mythologies mentioning this festival.Holika Dahan
The Choti Holi signifies the victory of good over evil. According to a popular folklore, Holika the devil was killed on this day. She was killed in order to save Prahlad by god Vishnu. As per the tale in Bhagavata Purana, King Hiranyakashipu was the king of devils. He had earned a boon that made him near to immortal.
This made him arrogant and he ordered everyone to worship just him. However, he disobeyed by his own son Prahlada. He was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. So, he ordered a cruel punishment for him in which Holika(his sister) will sit on the fire with Prahlada. Holika had a blanket that made her immune from fire injuries, but when it was fire the blanket flew from Holika and covered Prahlada. She got killed and burned in the incident.
Krishna Legend
According to folklores, Lord Krishna was very fond of this festival and use to play Holi with Radha and gopis. The Braj region, where he grew up, this festival is celebrated as a memorial for the immortal love of Radha and Krishna.
Lord Krishna has a dark complexion and because of that in youth, he was losing hope whether the fair skin Radha and other girls wouldn’t like him because of his dark complexion. To comfort him, his mother suggested him to colour Radha’s face. From then, they become a couple.
Shiva Legend
Holi is also linked with Lord Shiva. According to the mythology, when lord Shiva went into yoga or deep meditation, then goddess takes the help from the god of love known as Kamadeva to get back her beloved Shiva into the world. Shiva gets angered after waking up from the disturbance by Kamadeva. He opened his third eye and burned the god of love. This not only distresses love god’s wife Kamadevi but also goddess Parvati. Then Shiva’s heart melted and he forgives and restores Kamadeva.
There is an auspicious festival associated with Lord Shiva, ie Maha Shivaratri also known to be one of the important holy nights in Hindu mythology.
How Holi is Celebrated?
In Holika Dahan aka Choti Holi
People gather wood and different combustible items to the bonfire in public places such as community centres, parks, near temples, etc. There is a dummy established to indicate Holika(the demon) on the top of the bonfire. People in their home party with foods, drinks and traditional foods such as mathri, gujiya, malpuas and different regional deserts and cuisines.
On the eve of Holi
After the Holika bonfire, the next morning Holi thriller and celebration starts. There is no tradition of holding any kind of prayer or performing rituals. The entire day is dedicated for partying and fun. Though everyone is delighted at this day, but especially children and youths are thrilled at this day. They arm themselves with colours, water guns(pichkaris), water balloons, etc. They try their every way to colour their targets.At many places, people sing and dance in groups. They also play traditional musical instruments such as drums and dholak. All in all, it is a heavy dosage of fun. In the evening, people visit their relatives and friends for playing Abir. It is played with dry colours.
What dishes & Sweets are cooked during Holi?
There are numerous traditional delicacies cooked during Holi such as gujiya, malpuas, mathri, phirnis, chat, thandai, etc. Let’s us look at some of the main delicacies.Gujiya
Nowadays, this Rajasthani sweet is a must to be cooked during Holi. These sweets are the sweet dumplings that are made up of maida (peeled wheat flour) and Khoya (milk solid). The Khoya is filled inside the coating of maida with some dry fruits. |
| Gujia |
Phirni
Phirnis are also a sweet dish that has a water dipped kasoras smell.Crisp snacks
These crisp salty snacks are basically made from maida, deep fried in Ghee or vegetable oil.Bhaang or Thandai
Bhaang/Thandai
It is a very popular drink that people often drink in Holi. It is actually an intoxicating drink made with cannabis leaves.Golgappe
Golgappe will save you from getting bored with so many sweet dishes in Holi. This sizzling and crunchy golgappe gives the mouth sour taste. This was all about the famous, biggest, joyful and colorful festival of India, Holi. I know everyone is waiting for Holi to splash colours on each other.64 HD Wallpapers of Holi Festival - 2020
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