Holi meaning and celebration

Holi, the most joyful and fun festival that is celebrated with colors in India in the month of March. The message and importance of this festival is the triumph of good over evil. In Hindu mythology, you can find many myths to celebrate Holi in India like Holika and Prahlada demon myth, Radha and Krishna love myth, Kamdev and Lord Shiva myth, Dhundi demon myth. Among all these myths, the most well-known and famous myth is that of Demon Holika and Prahlada, which reveals the reasons to celebrate.

According to mythological stories, Hiranyakashipu was a great demon king. Bramha had bestowed a special boon that no evil or god could kill Hiranyakashipu. His son Prahlada was a follower of Lord Vishnu. To kill Prahlada, the king tried various threats but was unsuccessful. At last he ordered Prahlada to sit by the fire on the lap of his sister Holika. She was blessed with the blessing of not getting burned. Prahlada accepted her father’s orders and sat on Holika’s lap. He started chanting Lord Vishnu’s name continuously, strong belief and trust in Lord Vishnu saved him and despite having a boon, Holika is burned to death.

All myths have various messages and reasons to celebrate. The evergreen love myth of Krishna and Radha gave a message of love and happiness. The myth of Lord Shiva and Kamdev has the message of forgiveness. Lastly, the Dhundi myth gives the message that “evil cannot beat good for long, one fine day it must lose and be over.”

Holi is also called Basant-Utsav, a spring festival that is celebrated for more than 16 days. To experience the real excitement of the festival, one has to visit Lord Krishna’s places like Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandangaon Barsana etc.

On this day the tradition is to wear white and play with colors. They throw colors at each other, light bonfires called Holika Dahan, and pray. Children have fun playing with water guns, balloons and syringes known as Pichkari’s. Lots of delicious sweets and snacks like Gujia, Malpua, Papad Matari, Dahi Bada, Puran Poli etc. In the evening, people gather and celebrate Holi by consuming shakes (Thandai) made from Bhang. People enjoy with their family and friends. They dance to Dholak music and sing popular songs.