Holi is a festival of colors celebrated nationwide for centuries with gay abandon and revelry. It is perhaps apt that it falls at the beginning of spring or the ‘Phalgun mas’ when the trees bear fresh flowers and the birds sing.
Holi is a harvest festival marking the end of the cold, long winter months and the arrival of luscious spring.
The festival is usually celebrated for two days. On the first day, a vast pyre is lit, called Holika Dahan. This is followed by the dance of color and joyousness, where people smear their loved ones with colors, called Rang Panchmi, which falls on the second day.
Why is Holi celebrated in India?
Holi is a celebration of the divine love between Lord Krishna and his consort Radha. The story behind Holi is that as Krishna was of a dark complexion (because he had drunk poisoned milk) and Radha was fair, Yashoda maiyya playfully suggested that Krishna should smear Radha’s face with colors so that they looked alike.
Krishna followed this advice, and to date, Holi is celebrated with people smearing each other’s faces with colors. And thus, this festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Uttar Pradesh’s Vrindavan and Mathura, where legend has it that Lord Krishna used to reside.
At this point, it is also significant to learn about Holika Dahan.
What is Holika Dahan?
This most vibrant Hindu festival is also associated with the legend of Holika Dahan. According to this old story, a powerful king named Hiranyakashipu was hated and feared in equal parts for his cruelty. He had also declared himself a God, expecting the citizens to worship him like one.
Legend has it that his sole son, Prahlada, an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu, refused to worship his father as a god. An enraged Hiranyakashipu tried killing Prahlada many times but failed each time as Prahlada was divinely protected. He then approached his sister, Holika, for help. She possessed an extraordinary power that fire could not burn her. So, according to plan, Holika tricked Prahlada into sitting with her on a pyre. She, however, perished in flames due to her evil intentions, and Prahlada was saved.
This is why the first day of Holi is celebrated as Holika Dahan, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.
How is Holi celebrated?
Several rituals are involved in celebrating the festival of Holi.
The Holika pyre is prepared on the first day, and the local people start collecting wood days in advance to build it. An effigy of Holika is then placed on top of the pyre to be burned. On the day of Holika Dahan, people gather around and offer prayers before lighting the pyre after sunset.
On the second day of the festival, Rangwali Holi, people go berserk with colors and have a great time.
Special Holi delicacies are prepared like the Gujjia, shared in the special Holi feast. This dumpling filled with Khoya is made in almost every household during the festival. Thandai, a special drink laced with bhang, is also consumed with abandon.
Best places in India to celebrate Holi – the carnival of color
Vrindavan Holi
Holi is celebrated with great religious fervor in Vrindavan, the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Huge processions are carried out all over the small town with people dunked in color, dancing joyously to live music.
Vrindavan also hosts the widow’s Holi so that the widows who are traditionally prohibited from playing Holi can enjoy the festivities.
Barsana Holi
Barsana Holi is celebrated in a unique, even bizarre way. In this small town in U.P. near Mathura, the village women beat the men up with sticks to celebrate the festival. This Holi is called Lathmar Holi.
The Holi celebrations at Barsana are rowdy and more than just lively. This makes this sleepy hamlet an excellent place for experiencing this festival of color with just an added pinch of pain!
Each of India’s 29 states contributes to the nation’s diverse cultures, languages, ethnicities, and religions that have co-existed for centuries. Learn how these states of India celebrate Holi in their unique ways.
Bura Na Mano, Holi Hai – let’s celebrate the spirit of the colors.