Holi is one of the most popular of Hindu festivals which occurs on the Full Moon Day of Phalgun (February-March) each year.
When gram, wheat and other grains are roasted they are called Holuk, hence the name Holi. Even today there is a custom of lighting a bonfire (Holi) and roasting grains, corn and so on as offerings for eating and this promotes a feeling of brotherhood among the Hindu community. The story of a female demon called Holika is also linked with Holi.
Story of Holika and Prahalada Holika was a sister of the demon king Hiranyakashipu. The king's son Prahalad was a great devotee of God. Hiranyakashipu was not in favour of this because he considered himself to be the lord of the universe. He tried to kill Prahalad and he persuaded his sister Holika to assist in this killing. It is said that Holika had a boon that she would not be burnt by fire, so she entered into a fire with Prahalada with the intention of burning him to death. Instead, Prahalada was saved but Holika was burnt to death as she was misusing her powers. The festival of Holi reminds Hindus of the devotee Prahalada. Hence this festival is taken as an inspiration to destroy the evil that dwells within oneself. |
This festival is also known as the 'festival of colour' and it is literally celebrated with colours. Men and women of all ages offer prayers, sing and dance, and splash washable colours on each other. They smear each other's faces with powder paints and laugh and hug each other in a joyous mood. The playful activity of throwing coloured paint and singing and dancing together is designed to remove the barriers which sometimes people tend to build around themselves. Holi renews the spirit of unity and brotherhood among families and in the community.
When mother nature ushers in the spring season, there is more light and more colour. The visual impact of colours is to create a sensation of delight. The idea of Holi is to convert this outward sensation into an inner feeling of happiness. For centuries, mankind has known that light and colour bring joy and happiness to daily life.
The Sama Veda (Sanskrit: from sāman "song" and veda "knowledge"), is the Veda of melodies and chants. It is an ancient Vedic Sanskrit text, and is one of the sacred scriptures in Hinduism. The Sama Veda contains a number of verses on the splendour of nature; this is one of them:
Rejoice in all the moods of Nature, Experience the unseen divine stature In its various glorious forms. Spring is the season of flowers and scented breezes Which gladden the hearts and it pleases. (SAMA VEDA, 616) |
Message of Holi
It is a reminder to us that God is the only reality – absolute, all powerful, indestructible and without end. The example of Prahalad helps us to strengthen our faith and increase our devotion in Almighty God.
Often we are given the meaning in the popular saying as the TRIUMPH of righteousness over evil. What does it all mean? The real meaning has been brought out in the life of Hiranya Kashyapa who was an arch materialist aspiring towards world domination. The more he got, the more he wanted. With this unquenchable greed, his ego also became boundless, so much so that he thought that he was indestructible. His mental condition can safely be applied to numerous modern-day materialists who feel that for them, their power and wealth will never come to an end; that the pleasantries their money and power can buy will last forever. Such warped mentality is ever present around us. But when we realise that not the pleasant but the good that we do will follow us, to the grave and beyond, our lifestyle automatically takes a different turn.
Both the good (righteousness) and the pleasant (evil) approach the man. The sensible person examines and concludes that the pleasant is for sense satisfaction, lasts for a time and then dies – like snowfall which for one moment is white and then melts away forever – leaving behind a trail of hate, disgust and misery. The good on the other hand is permanent. It brings deeper satisfaction to the performer resulting in peace and tranquillity of mind. When good actions (Karma) are performed without attachment or redress because it is our duty (Dharma) to do so, the ultimate result is thus uplifting both to the individual and the society. Therefore, let us take heed; let the light that issued forth from the burning of Holika illuminate our hearts on a truly Dharmic way so that we can open our arms to the sick, the disabled, the needy and our brothers in general with charity and love.
Dhuleti, also known as Rangwali Holi is a festival that is celebrated on the day after the main day of Holi. It is believed to have originated from Lord Krishna's childhood, who was fond of playing pranks on the Gopis by splashing colours on them.
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