Excitement is in the air. The cozy wind is gradually replacing the cooler air. Transformation is reflecting from every bit of the beautiful nature. It marks the arrival of a very special festival called ‘Holi’.
With the onset of Falgun (Hindus’ month), the spring season begins to embrace the Pan surrounding. The blooming blossoms and lovely weather signify it’s the time for celebration; to get together and to cheer every moment of this beautiful weather.
The countdown has begun for drenching each other with vibrant red, blue, green and yellow abir and gulal (colours). Just a few days are left for the arrival of 13th March when the festival of colour is about to fall.
Do you know how this tradition of playing with colours began? Let’s unfold the pages of mythological books of Hindus to know when this tradition was introduced.
Why Holi is celebrated?
The root of this festival lies in Dwapar Yug. It was the very time when Lord Vishnu took avtar of Lord Krishna. The world needs no introduction of the latter lord who taught the lessons of Karma to humanity via the scripture ‘Bhagwat Geeta’.
As the mythology reads, once lord Krishna was complaining to his mother about his dusky complexion. On hearing this complaint, mother Yashoda burst into laughter and replied, “Go and colour Radha (his beloved). Then, she would reflect similar to your tone.” Joyous Krishna drenched her with multiple colours. Since then, this celebration became a tradition for Hindus.
But mythology does not end here. It has another account related to demon king ‘Hirnayakashyap’. He He became a synonym of cruelty by slaying innocent sages and sadhus. He declared himself as the only ‘god’ and ordered his countrymen to worship him.
But his own son ‘Prahalad’ worshipped lord Vishnu against his father’s wishes. The tyrant king attempted to kill his son. His sister ‘Holika’, who was blessed with a magical fire-proof drape, conspired to kill him. She set herself ablaze while taking Prahalad in her lap. Since then, the custom of Holika –Dahan sprung.
Fortunately, the hazy wind took that drape away and the flame did not touch the ardent believer of lord Vishnu. His blind faith in the lord Vishnu saved him from many breath-taking attempts that his father executed upon him.
Eventually, his firm devotion brought lord Vishnu on the earth in the form of Sphinx (Half human and half Lion). In the fit of rage, he parted cruel king’s chest and ended his savagery.
How it is celebrated?
This festival is celebrated for two days. But the fervor of this festival fuel enthusiasm in several hearts. Females cook dessert called ‘Malpua’ and ‘Gujiya’ along with some puddings.
A day before the festival of colour, devotee Hindus gather and worship around bonfire. This tradition, as aforementioned, is known as Holika Dahan. It’s a kind of replica of the same incident that occurred centuries ago. The gang of youths, children and old people sing as well as dance while circumambulating the holy fire.
The second day is called ‘Dhulandi’. While throwing colourful water and abir on one another, people celebrate it. Children throw balloons filled with colourful or plain water.
In Vrindavan, herbal colours are drawn out of the petals of marigold, rose flowers and indigo. Even, many devotees of lord Krishna play it with the petals of various flowers. Bhang (a traditional drink) is prepared by grinding cannabis leaves and many more ingredients to drink. Music and dance add the fervor of this festival.