Holi…one thing is for sure, there is no other Indian festival that fills the hearts and the atmosphere with fun and screams. This festival – Holi, otherwise known as festival of colours, is the symbolic welcoming of the spring and bidding farewell to the freezing winter.
Speaking of the spring…one immediately remembers the tender green leaves on the trees, the blossoming flowers in the gardens and the sweet calls of the Cuckoo echoing in the ears, heralds the advent of a new season. The freshness splurges with the colours and an aura of romance all around.
With Holi, people bury their hatchets with a warm embrace throwing their worries to the wind and every nook and corner presents a typically colourful sight.
Red, Yellow, Pink, blue, black or silver…you may or may identify your best pal as young and old are drenched with colours, alike. On this day, people are suddenly caught unaware with colours that would be showering from atop the houses, bursting balloons or long pistons squirting coloured waters.
The festival has long traditional links with various legends. As far as one legendary tale goes… the word Holi is derived from the name of demon Holika. She was sister of a demon king Hiranyakashyapa. He defeated the Gods and proclaimed his own supremacy over the universe at large. His son Prahlada was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu and Hiranyakashyapa decides to punish him severely and divert his mind from Lord Vishnu.
In this process he hands over his son to sister Holika. Holika was blessed with immunity from fire element. She carries Prahlada into the fire, in order to punish him. A divine intervention destroys her in the fire, protecting Prahlada.
Thus, Holi is said to be celebrated to mark the burning of evil Holika, a celebration of the triumph of good over evil.
This festival is predominantly celebrated in Northern India, though Holi is fondly fêted throughout the country. Actual preparations for the fete begin a week ahead and houses will be given a fresh colour coat with beautiful designs and floral patterns at the entrance. During olden days, colours were extracted from a flower that blossoms only during this festival and the spray pistons were made out of bamboo sticks. With the changing times, colours are being manufactured artificially and pistons made of different materials and in various vibrant designs. Folklore and dances are performed around the fire to welcome the new season, while Holika trees would be usually burnt on the eve of Holi, Dhuleti.
On the Holi day, people play and have fun with coloured water sprinkling on each other. In the evening younger generations seek the elders’ blessings carrying some dry colour powders to them. Visiting each other’s houses carrying colours and special dishes like Dahi Wada, Sweet made from raw jackfruit, Malpua and so on.
In some regions like Bengal Holi is marked by performances of Dolothsava. Lord Vishnu’s idol/ image is swayed in decorated swings and coloured powders are offered to the deity. In Mathura, there is a special importance to Holi. This festival solemnises the love of Radha and Krishna, while spraying coloured powders and water recall the love sport of Lord Krishna with Gopikas. On par with the Northern India, Holi is not celebrated with as much fervour in Southern India. However, the spirit of communal harmony is very high and people indulge in merry making, playing with coloured water is a common sight. Peasants and labourers wander from house to house, singing and dancing asking for Holi tips.
