Holi is celebrated every year in the month of Phalguna (February- March) to welcome the spring season and mark the end of the winter season. Today, Holi might be celebrated with artificial colors, water balloons and pichkaaris but it definitely would have been different in the 4th Century as mentioned by the great poet Kalidasa in Puranas and Dasakumara Charita.
It begins with the kindling of bonfires. People gather around the flames to sing, dance and pray for an evening ritual called Holika Dahan, which re-enacts the demise of a Hindu mythical demoness, Holika. All sorts of things are thrown into the fires, like wood, leaves and food, in a symbolic purge of evil and triumph of good.
The festival has Hindu roots, but everyone is fair game to get messy, and growing numbers worldwide are taking part in the iconic display of Indian/Asian culture. Not only Indians Nepalese also celebrates this festival.
The vibrancy of colors is something that brings in a lot of positivity in our lives and Holi 2024 being the festival of colours is actually a day worth rejoicing. Holi 2024 is a famous Hindu festival that is celebrated in every part of India with utmost joy and enthusiasm. The ritual starts by lighting up the bonfire one day before the day of Holi and this process symbolizes the triumph of good over the bad. On the day of Holi 2024 people play with colours with their friends and families and in evening they show love and respect to their close ones with Abeer.
Holi (pronounced “holy”), also known as the “festival of colors,” starts on the evening of the full moon during the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna, which falls around February or March. It begins with the kindling of bonfires. People gather around the flames to sing, dance and pray for an evening ritual called Holika Dahan, which re-enacts the demise of a Hindu mythical demoness, Holika. All sorts of things are thrown into the fires, like wood, leaves and food, in a symbolic purge of evil and triumph of good.
Stories related to holi.
The legend of Radha and Krishna is closely linked with this tradition of colors on Holi. Young Krishna, who had a dark complexion was jealous of his beloved Radha’s extremely fair skin. In a mischievous mood, he applied color on Radha’s face. Following this ancient legend, lovers till date long to color their beloved as an expression of love.
Mythology also states that Holi is the celebration of death of Ogress Pootana who tried to kill infant, Krishna by feeding poisonous milk to it.
social significance.
Holi helps to bring the society together and strengthen the secular fabric of our country. For, the festival is celebrated by non-Hindus also as everybody like to be a part of such a colouful and joyous festival.
Also, the tradition of the Holi is that even the enemies turn friends on Holi and forget any feeling of hardship that may be present. Besides, on this day people do not differentiate between the rich and poor and everybody celebrate the festival together with a spirit of bonhomie and brotherhood.
In the evening people visit friends and relatives and exchange gifts, sweets and greetings. This helps in revatalising relationships and strengthening emotional bonds between people.
Conclusion.
Holi knows no bars, Holi knows no boundaries too. Across the world People play with colours, light a bonfire called Holika and celebrate the victory of good over evil.
Well, the essence of any festival is to take a break from the daily humdrum of life and make it interesting. The other major intention of celebrating festival is to bring people together and generate a feeling of brotherhood and spread harmony all around.
So, let us enjoy the colors and enjoy with the people that truely cares about us.