Holi

 Holi

India is a land of celebrations, every day is seen as a festival. India's Holi festival is well-known around the world. The Hindu celebration of Holi is the Hindu religion's second most important festival. The festival of colours is another name for it. Holi is a popular event in India as well as Nepal, Bangladesh, the United States, Australia, and Canada.

This celebration is observed by people of all social classes. People of other religions have now begun to celebrate this holiday with considerable fanfare. In some ways, nature also takes part in this festival. Spring gives joy by strewing bright flowers all over the place.

This is a holiday of spreading happiness, and everyone celebrates it by hugging one other on this day. This celebration has such a powerful effect that even years of animosity can be transformed into friendship on this day. Holi is also known as the celebration of harmony for this reason. Holi is a Hindu holiday that has been celebrated for thousands of years.

Holi is a Hindu holiday that commemorates the triumph of virtue over evil as well as a celebration of joy. People don't realise how many different shapes Holi has taken; whether it's a childhood Holi or an old age Holi, the delight of old age is always the same. On this occasion, one is reminded of a popular song, 'Holi ke din dil khil jaye hai rang mein rang mil hai hai'.

When does Holi take place?

Holi is a Hindu celebration that takes place every year in March. This event is traditionally celebrated in the month of Falgun, according to the Hindu calendar. This festival is primarily two days long. Holika Dahan is done by putting sticks and cow dung on the first day, while Holi Dahan is done by putting sticks and cow dung on the second day.

Dhulandi is the name given to Holi's second day. In which everyone paints each other with bright colours. People in India do not see caste on this day. Everyone embraces one another and celebrates Holi with a lot of fanfare.

Holi's history

The Holi event is also mentioned in ancient literature. This provides us an understanding of the significance and age of the Holi festival. The origins of this festival can be traced back to a well-known legend.

 According to folklore, there was once a huge demon known as Hiranyakashipu. As a gift from Lord Brahma, Hiranyakashipu could not be killed by any form of weapon, neither in the day nor at night, nor by any deity, nor by man, nor by any kind of weapon.

Hiranyakashipu saw Lord Vishnu as his greatest foe, so he instructed his subjects to worship him rather than Lord Vishnu. He began to treat his subjects with cruelty. Out of terror, some members of the subjects began to idolise him.

With the passage of time, Hiranyakashipu gave birth to a son, Prahlad. Prahlad had been a devotee of Lord Vishnu since he was a child. Hiranyakashipu was not considered God by Prahlad. He refused to understand even after considerable coaxing, so Hiranyakashipu tried a variety of methods to murder him, but he did not succumb. Holika, Hiranyakashipu's sister, was blessed with the ability to withstand fire, therefore she stood by her brother and sat in the pyre with Prahlad.

When Prahlad saw this, he became horrified and began to worship Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu's kindness was so great that Prahlad was spared even a scratch, but Holika was reduced to ashes. Since then, the Holi celebration has become popular.

Holi celebrations are in the works.

The Holika Dahan is held the day before Holi. Wooden kandas, grass, and cow dung are collected in this area. Women worship Holi in the evening, and water is offered from the lotus. After that, Holika Dahan is performed after witnessing the fortunate moment, and the wood symbolising Prahlad is removed as soon as the flames begin to increase.

Furthermore, it is demonstrated that virtue always triumphs over evil. Everyone goes around it on Holika Dahan, wishing for good health and renown, as well as consuming all evil in it.

On the day after Holika Dahan, the festival of colours is held. On this day, youngsters paint each other with different colours, accept everyone's best wishes, and congratulate one other. Then, whether it's youngsters or elders, they start pitching and blowing up coloured balloons with their neighbours and loved ones. People visit each other's homes on this day to apply colour gulal and eat amusing meals. The significance of the Holi celebration

Holi's historical significance

On Holi day, good triumphed over evil, thus people learn from this celebration that no matter how powerful evil is, good always triumphs, and they should always choose the right path. social significance

Holi is a joyous occasion. This celebration has been dubbed a symbol of friendship since it encourages people to forgive previous animosities, argue, dispute, and embrace one another. On this day, no one in society looks up or down. Holi is a celebration in which everyone celebrates by hugging one other. It bridges the socioeconomic divide between the rich and the poor, hence this celebration is also socially significant.

India's various Holi festivals —

Barsana's Lathmar Holi

First and foremost, there is discourse of Braj Holi, of which the most famous is Lathmar Holi in Barsana. Radha was born in the town of Barsana. The lath is still in the hands of women on this day, and Nandgaon's men (gopas) who try to raise the flag at Radha's temple 'Ladliji' must dodge the lath of women. Hori, a song based on Shri Krishna and Radha's discourse, is also sung during this time.

Bihar's Faguwa Holi

In Bihar, the Holi festival lasts three days. On the first day, Holika Dahan, also known as Samvatsara Dahan, takes place in the evening, and people dance around the fire. The following day, Holi is performed with the ashes from it, known as Dhulethi, and the third day is dedicated to colours. Men and women in groups walk from house to house, dancing to the Dol's beat. Phagun refers to the colour red, hence it's also known as Phaguwa Holi.

Haryana's Dhulendi Holi -

Holi is known as Dhulendi in Haryana, India, and dry Holi is played with Gulal and Abir. On this day, sisters-in-law are free to chastise their brothers-in-law for abusing them during the year. Sister-in-law persecutes the brothers-in-law in a variety of ways, and the poor brother-in-law suffers in silence because it is sister-in-day. law's The brother-in-law sends gifts for his sister-in-law in the evening, and she blesses him.

Bengal's Dol Purnima -

West Bengal is used as an example because of its beauty. Holi is also quite well-observed in this country. People dress in Basanti-colored garments and adorn them with flowers on this day. From the start of the day, there is a dance and music programme. At home, sweet foods are cooked. Dol Jatra is another name for this festivity. The Radha-Krishna idol is set in a swing for this occasion, and women take turns swinging it.

Maharashtra's Rangpanchami

This event signifies dancing, singing, and joy for the Maharashtra fishermen's colony. Because on this festival, all the fisherman visit each other's homes and spend a lot of time having fun. In Maharashtra, a delectable sweet delicacy known as Puranpoli is produced.

Punjab's Hola Mohalla Fair

This event is also widely observed in Punjab. Hola Mohalla is a fair celebrated in the Sikh holy site of Anandpur Sahib on the day after Holi. Weapons of Sikh heroism and feats of valour are presented throughout this three-day fair.

In Rajasthan, Tamasha Holi is celebrated.

On the festival of Holi, there is a tradition of Tamashe in Rajasthan. The performers arrive by erecting a stage in the style of a street play and performing their traditional dance and acting skills. The Tamasha's mythological storey and character theme also serves to mock the social and political system through these characters.

Madhya Pradesh's Bhagauria Holi -

The Bhil tribals of Madhya Pradesh celebrate Holi in a unique way. Bhagauria is the name given to this Bhil Holi. On this day, adulting boys gain the right to choose their favourite life mate. Bhils have a unique style of celebrating Holi. They worship mango manjaris, tesu flowers, and wheat earrings on this day and pray for the start of a new life.

Gujarat celebrates Holi.

On the festival of Holi, groups of young men do dances and sing in Gujarat's streets. Curd pots have been placed in the streets, and young people are urged to visit them. It is based on Lord Krishna shattering the gopis' pots. Who wouldn't want to become Kanhaiya or Radha in such a situation?

 Manipur's Holi

In Manipur, Holi is celebrated for a whole six days, which is known as Yosang. Without constructing Holika, a cottage made of thatch is built here and a fire is lit in it at the start of Holi. The next day, groups of boys play Holi with the girls in exchange for receiving presents.

Holi-like festivities in other countries -

Wanaka Festival in New Zealand

Every year, the Rangila festival is held in several New Zealand cities. On this day, children, the elderly, and the young of the city congregate at a park. Everyone paints on their own or other people's bodies. They also have a lot of fun with each other at this time. While children celebrate the occasion with gusto, the elderly encourage others to do so as well. The festival lasts for a total of six days.

Thailand's Songkaran Festival

Songkaran is the Thai New Year's festivity. In the water, there is a lot of enjoyment to be had. People congregate beside a pond during the event and hurl water at each other. Two or four people throw someone into the pond and force him to swim. At this celebration, everyone — children, adults, women, and men – is painted in the same hue. There is a constant buzz of songs and dancing throughout the day. The festival begins at 3 a.m. and lasts until late in the evening. During this time, people exchange New Year's greetings.

The Cherry Blossom Season Festival in Japan

This Japanese festival is likewise well-known for its distinctiveness. The celebration takes place between the months of March and April, when the cherry trees bloom. People greet one other while sitting in cherry orchards with their families. During the day-long event, there will be special cuisine and music-dance programmes.

Festival of the Incas in Peru

During this five-day Peruvian event, people roam throughout the city in colourful settings. They are in groups throughout this time. Every team has an own identity. These individuals dance to the beat of drums in an attempt to outperform others. Everyone gathers in front of the Cuzco palace at night to welcome one another with joy.

Papua New Guinea's Goroka Festival

 People assemble at the foot of Mount Hagen during this event in Papua New Guinea to perform traditional tribal dances. They use a variety of traditional body adornments, such as birds and other animals. Fun feasts are held at the festival of joy and happiness.

The Water Throwing Festival in China

In the Chinese province of Yuan, the festival of tossing water is held in March and April. It is one of the Dai people's most important festivities. This celebration is also known as Buddha's Bathing. During the festival, everyone welcomes each other by throwing water at them.

Bathing festival in Tibet

Tibetans enjoy their bathing festival throughout the first 10 days of July. Gamariji is the name of the festival. Tibetans think that the river or pond water is delicious, chilly, soft, light, clean, and harmless at this season, and that it is beneficial for the throat but not for the stomach. During this time, Tibetans pitch tents along the river and lake's banks and enjoy the bath like a festival.

Currently, Holi is celebrated in the form of a festival.

I Holi is currently undergoing a transformation as a result of young people's lack of understanding of its significance; instead of being viewed as a joyful celebration, it is now viewed as a festival of intoxicants.

(ii) On Holi, today's youth sit after consuming various types of intoxicants. Some people even experience major harm as a result of it, but they are unconcerned.

(iii) Nowadays, fighting among teenagers is a typical occurrence. people attending the Holi festival

Rather than forgetting about the hostility, the enmity has grown. Nowadays, instead of colours, young people utilise dung drain water and plain colours, tarnishing the beauty of Holi.

All of these factors are tarnishing the Holi festival's image. We must educate the public.

Final thoughts –

Holi is a Hindu celebration that celebrates the triumph of good over evil. We should learn from this celebration and abandon our vices in favour of the good. Another takeaway from the event is that we should never be arrogant since ego disables our ability to think.

Holi should be celebrated with tremendous fanfare by our families and friends. In India, the Holi holiday is celebrated with much fanfare. It is a festival of friendship, and it should stay that way. We have no right to give it a different shape.

We should inform the youth who are currently unemployed about the significance and features of this festival, so that their perspectives change and the image of our peaceful celebration survives.

People forget their differences and put new vitality into themselves with the start of a new life at this festival. In Hindu families, the entire year is spent anticipating this one-of-a-kind holiday. Everywhere you look, there is colour. The entire city comes alive with colour. And share a lot of joy with one another. Everyone prepares a variety of dishes in their home. Everyone gets abir-gulal at each other's houses in the evening.