Thursday, March 20, 2008

HOLI - Festival of colours

The festival of Holi is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early March (Phalguna) every year.

Holi celebration begins with lighting up of bonfire symbolizing the victory of good over evil.

A public bonfire is held, commemorating the burning of Holika. Traditionally, Hindu boys spend the weeks prior to holi combing the neighborhood for any waste wood they can find for the bonfire.

On the second day, known as Dhulhendi (Dhulwad), people spend the day throwing coloured powder and water at each other. The spring season, during which the weather changes, is believed to cause viral fever and cold. Thus, the playful throwing of the coloured powders has a medicinal significance: the colours are traditionally made of Neem, kukmkum, Haldi, Bilva and other medicinal herbs prescribed by Ayurvedic doctors. A special drink called thandai is prepared, sometimes containing Bhaang. People invite each other to their houses for feasts and celebrations.

Legends & stories associated with Holi.

Holi is now a symbolic commemoration of a legend from Hindu Mythology. The story centres around an arrogant king who resents his son Prahlada worshipping Lord Vishnu. He attempts to kill his son but fails each time. Finally, the king's sister Holika who is said to be immune to burning, sits with the boy in a huge fire. However, the prince Prahlada emerges without injury, while his aunt burns to death. Holi commemorates this event from mythology, and huge bonfires are burnt on the eve of Holi as its symbolic representation.

This festival is also associated with the immortal love of Krishna and Radha, and hence, Holi is spread over 16 days in Vrindavan as well as Mathura. Apart from the usual fun with coloured powder and water, Holi is marked by vibrant processions which are accompanied by folk songs, dances and a general sense of abandoned vitality.


Holi in different parts of India:

In Maharashtra, Holi is called Shimga or Rangpanchami.

Holi differs from North India in Maharashtra, People of Maharashtra celebrate Holi like the North Indians. Play with colours is Rangpanchami, which comes five days after Phalgun Poornima. Puran-poli is dish of festival.

In Bengal, Holi features the Dolayatra (Swing Festival), in which images of the gods are placed on specially decorated platforms and devotees take turns swinging them.

In Punjab, they call it 'Hola Mohalla', Holla Mohalla is celebrated a day after Holi in Punjab especially by the Nihang Sikhs.

In Rajasasthan, The Braj Festival is held in honour of Lord Krishna a few days before Holi, in the month of March. There are different holi traditions in rajasthan like Mali holi, Gair at Godaji, Dolachi holi at Bikaner.

In the towns of Rajasthan — especially Jaisalmer — the music's great, and clouds of pink, green, and turquoise powder fill the air. The grounds of Jaisalmer's Mandir Palace are turned into chaos, with dances, folk songs, and colored-powder confusion.


Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holi

http://www.indiaexpress.com/rangoli/holi.html

http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/holidays/holi.htm

http://www.holifestival.org/

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