Holi is said to be the festival of colors that celebrates the arrival of spring. After the winter is over spring brings colors of joy and love back to life with this festival. Holi is among those festivals that possess much significance in our lives. It is one of the liveliest festivals that people of all ages and religions enjoy. This festival brings us together as a community which increases our integrity. Sending Holi gifts to India is a way to celebrate this festival with your family even if you are away from home.
You must have the fondest of memories of your childhood when you pulled pranks on your elders but were not scolded. When you could play with water all you wanted and the best thing color everything and everyone for the day. The complete day would be dedicated to merriment. The day before Holi was also special when the “ Holika Dahan” was performed they would burn a pyre of wood. The significance of the pyre and the stories related to were narrated by our grandparents or parents. As children, we only knew of only one story that was much recognized which was the story of Prince Prahlad. It is said that the celebration of the festival is a metaphor for good defeating evil. This is an ancient tradition that has more meaning to it from every point of view than we think. There are many stories revolving around Holi, one is of prince Prahlad that we were told in our childhood. The other revolves around the eternal love of Radha and Krishna one more story is again related to Krishna. Another legend states the Ogress of Dhundi. If you are curious about these stories as well then this article elucidates these stories in detail.
The origin of the tradition “Holika Dahan” which takes place the day prior to Holi is connected with the story of Prahlad. Prince Prahlad the son of Hirankashyap was a devotee of lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap the demon King was enraged at Lord Vishu for killing his younger brother. As revenge, he wanted to take Lord Vishnu’s power over heaven. So he threatened people to abandon the gods and only pray to him. Fearing the consequences of not listening to their King the people did the same except for the King’s son, Prahlad. He kept worshipping Lord Vishnu even when his father tried to kill him. To kill his son Hirankashyap asked his sister Holika to hold Prahlad whilst sitting on a burning pyre of wood. Holika was blessed with a boon that she will never be burned by the fire held Prahalad in her lap and sat on the burning Pyre. However, surprisingly Prahlad survived but Holika burned. Lord Vishnu saved his devotee in the form of “Narsingha” and hence the day is celebrated as Holi, the triumph of evil over good. Thus, the day Holi derived its name from this, and prior to Holi, a pyre is burned which is said to burn the evil. People still to this day burn the bonfire and this tradition is called “Holika Dahan” with the belief in burning down the evils of their life.
It is said that when Lord Krishna was an infant his maternal uncle which was King Kans send a demoness called Putana to kill Krishna. The demoness went on a rampage killing every infant in search of Krishna by feeding her poisonous milk. Soon she found Krishna and tried to kill him as she killed the other infants. But Lord Krishna killed her instead and then the people of Vrindavan celebrated Holi to commemorate the death of evil and the triumph of good.
In another story, it is said that the festival Holi is celebrated to cherish Lord Krishna and Radha’s eternal love. Lord Krishna was a mischievous child hence he pranked and played with the ‘Gopis’ of the village. So, they started playing Holi on the arrival of spring and the traditions are followed to this day.
The Kingdom of Raghu was terrorized by an ogress named Dhundi. She would disturb and scare away the villagers and even eat the cattle of the villagers. Hence the villagers were aggravated and wanted to get rid of this ogress. The children of the village took the initiative to chase away the ogress Dhundi on the day of Holi by pulling pranks and playing with colors. This belief and legend live on to this date hence children play pranks with colors to celebrate Holi and chase away the grim and darkness away.
In ancient times flower petals were used to make gulaals to play Holi. Presently you can still find organic powdered gulaal to play Holi with. This festival brings us together inhibiting social significance in our lives too. The festivals of colors should be celebrated without any hesitation. Now you know all the stories behind this festival that carries on the legacy and wonderful culture we have and celebrate Holi with vim and vigor.
