Holi Colors / Gulal
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The Hindu festival Holi is marked by vibrant colours, delicious sweets, beat aur dhol-wale gaane and fantastic bonfires. Aur celebrate kyun na kare? After all, this is a festival that welcomes spring and the whole of India sees so many different versions of Holi being celebrated.
The part that we are all familiar with is applying colours for Holi or the Gulaal on almost anyone we can find. Of course, gaana-bajana and parties are compulsory and so is trying the tasty Gujiya, which is a classic Holi sweet that we all love! Jo bhi kaho, the significance of Holi is not just in these fun bonfires and other celebrations, but also in the fact that it unites everyone in the country. This goes beyond religion, caste, creed, and social backgrounds.
When does this festival happen? Hum Purnima (full moon) ke din Holi manate hain, in the month of Phalgun in the Hindu calendar. Of course, bonfires toh Holi ka bahut bada part hain, and so is all that dancing and gifting special things to our friends and family. Matlab the whole community gets together to participate in not just the Holi bonfire, but also the celebrations. But ye bonfire ka importance kyun hain in this Hindu colour festival? Let’s find out more below.
Story Behind The Colourful Festival
The reason behind the bonfire has a lot to do with the overall significance of Holi festival. If you were thinking why do we celebrate Holi, then here are some stories that will give you all the answers.
Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap
As per Hindu mythology, many stories relate to the significance of Holi festival and the bonfires. The famous tale of Prahlad, Holika, and Hiranyakashipu bahut purane and iconic legends me se hain.
It goes like this-
King Hiranyakashipu was the Asura King and did not like Lord Vishnu. Aisa kyun? One of Lord Vishnu's avatars had killed Hiranyaksha. However, his son Prahlad grew up to be a follower of Lord Vishnu.
Gusse main, King Hiranyakashipu told his sister Holika to sit with Prahlad on a pyre since she had got the boon of immunity from fire. But Lord Vishnu saved Prahlad and Holika was burnt to ashes. This led to the victory of good over evil that is a big part of the Hindu festival Holi and is called the Holika Dahan. This is the reason behind the bonfires that people light, while pouring flowers, coconuts and grains into it. They actually celebrate the burning of Holika.
- Radha & Krishna
You will find it interesting that the Hindu colour festival of Holi is also associated with the love of Radha and Krishna. As you know, Lord Krishna had a dark complexion and he thought that Radha would reject him for this. Yashoda tried to help him by advising him to ask Radha to use her favourite colour to paint his face. Radha agreed to this proposal and the rest is history! It marked the beginning of the Hindu festival Holi in a big way across India.
How Holi Festival Is Celebrated?
The Hindu festival Holi is celebrated in various ways all over India. The different kinds of celebrations will give you an answer as to why do we celebrate Holi. Many communities have bonfires, some have special rituals, some celebrate with music and dancing, and so on! Here's how India enjoys this beautiful festival in its own unique ways.
Chhoti Holi
Chhoti Holi/Holika Dahan is celebrated on the day before the Holi festival. Holika Dahan is arranged to mark the story of Prahlad and his aunt Holika who tried to burn him in the fire. This is the reason for so many bonfires as a pre-celebration before the actual festival that we see in India every year.
Lathmar Holi
The importance of Holi in Barsana is a little different from other places. The women in this town of Uttar Pradesh celebrate the festival in a very unique way. Guess how? They use sticks to try and hit the men coming from Nandgaon, who surrender happily to them after avoiding the blows. Ye innovative Holi celebration goes back to the story of Radha and Krishna. Fed up with Krishna (who came from Nandgaon) teasing her and her friends, Radha chased him away. The tradition is still intact in this town and they perform it every year on Holi.
Phoolwali Holi
Phoolwali Holi is the most popular way to celebrate Holi in Vrindavan. Singing songs for Lord Krishna is the main activity here along with throwing away the petals of many flowers like marigolds, jasmine and roses. Coloured powder is also used by local residents for playing Holi and flowers ka importance bahut hain, since they indicate the coming of spring.
Dol Jatra/Basanta Utsav
The importance of Holi festival celebrations in West Bengal is related to the arrival of spring. Of course, the bonfire or Holika Dahan is common throughout the state. Dol Jatra or Basanta Utsav is celebrated usually on the day after Holi and women wear yellow clothes and play with Abir which is the Bengali term for powdered colours for Holi. Folk songs aur dance performances bhi hotey hain across West Bengal for the occasion.
Yaosang
Manipur has its own version of Holi, which is different from the western parts of India. Yaosang is a six-day festival beginning on the full moon night of the month of Phalgun. From great music to lovely colours, Manipur celebrates the festival in style!
Conclusion
As the festival of colors approaches, we all need to be ready for the best celebrations ever. Holi is more about having lots of fun and sharing love, joy and happiness with our friends and family. Woh sab toh theek hain, but are you prepared for the festival?
Get some beautiful herbal colours for Holi from iTokri jo quality aur safety dono assure karta hain. At the same time, if your outfit is not ready yet, check out the best white Kurtis available from iTokri along with other smart clothing options here. And that’s not all; you can also buy thoughtful Holi gift hampers online to give your loved ones the surprise of a lifetime!
Here’s to a fabulous celebration this year and wishing you a very Happy Holi!
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