Holi

Holi - A colourful festival of love and bliss

Holi is a fun-filled and boisterous festival which is celebrated on the full moon day of Phalgun month of Hindu calendar. The celebration begins with lightening of a bonfire on Holi eve. At the very next day, hoards of people come out of their houses and smear each other with bright coloured 'Gulal' on each other's face and 'Abeer' on foreheads, They pour colourful waters on each other using balloons and pichkaris and wish them "Bura Na Maano Holi Hai".
Holi also allows blessing and loving near and dear ones by offering them Holi gifts.

Holi has a great historical and religious significance and is mentioned in many ancient Hindu kinds of literature. According to a famous legend, there was a king named 'Hiranyakashyapu' who ordered his people not to worship God but him. But Prahlad, the king's son, was a verdant devotee of Lord Vishnu and denied to obey his father. This made the king infuriated. He asked her sister 'Holika', who possessed the boon of being immune, to pulverize Prahlad. Holika, with young Prahlad in her lap, took a seat in a blazing fire. She was sure the fire could never harm her, but that time she was misconceived and burnt to death, and Prahlad walked out of fire alive. It's believed that the festival got its name from this incident and is celebrated for the victory of good over evil.

One more legend is there behind celebrating this fest with colours. It's said that the cruel king Kans sent a she-demon 'Putna' to kill his nephew Krishna who, as per a heavenly declaration, was Kans's destroyer. Putna turned out to be a beautiful woman and went to Nandgaon village to kill every child there. She made infant Krishna suck her breast with intensity to kill him. But Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, sucked her to death. The entire village was extremely happy and celebrated the eve with lightning bonfires. The very next day was celebrated with colours and local dishes.

The festival knows no bounds. Wherever there are Indians, the festival is celebrated with much fanfare. Holi Festival around the world will also be celebrated with the same fervour and enthusiasm.

Holi Celebration in India: It is indeed a popular festival in India, observed across the entire breadth and length of the country. In the cities of Mathura and Vrindavana, where Lord Krishna spent his childhood, it is celebrated for sixteen days. Celebrations in these two cities are marked by praying Lord Krishna and special offerings. In the village of Barsana, where Radha-the console of Lord Krishna-hailed from, it is celebrated traditionally. In Eastern Indian state of West Bengal, the festival is known as Dol (Swing) Yatra. On this day the idols of Lord Krishna and his console Radha are placed on swings. Devotees swing the idols and seek the blessings of God.

Holi Celebration in the UK: A large number of Hindus are settled in the United Kingdom. The Hindus in the UK celebrate the festival in a big way. Indians are the second-largest ethnic minority in the country and actively take part in the Holi celebration in the country. A variety of processions are held in the country. These processions are accompanied by dances, folk songs and many other fun-filled activities.

Over the years, Holi has become an important festival in many regions like Africa, North America or Europe wherever Indian diaspora had found its roots. Other than that, Holi is celebrated in the neighbouring countries of India like Nepal, Guana, Trinidad and Tobago.

Holi Food Traditions: Holi food traditions contain the preparation of various food items in the families. Food items that are prepared on this occasion are papri, gujjia and kanji ke vade. Different types of snack items such as Dahi vadas, Puran Poli, mathri and malpuas are served to the guests. Meat dishes such as kofta curry are also prepared on this occasion. Food traditions also include Sandesh, payash and saffron milk. At the night of this festival, intoxicating bhang is prepared and consumed along with sweet laddoos. In some cases, bhang is consumed along with thandai and pakodas.

On the event of Holi celebration, let’s come together to dissolve our egos in the burning fire and colour our souls with empathy and love.

Happy Holi!