Holi- The Festival Of Colours

Holi, the festival of colors is the second biggest festival after Diwali. The festival welcomes the spring season and celebrates the end of winter. It signifies the triumph of good over evil. It lasts for a night and a day, starting on the evening of Purnima falling in the Hindu Calendar in the month of Phalguna, which falls around the middle of March. The first evening is known as Chotti Holi also called Holika Dahan and the next day is called Holi which is also known as Rangwali Holi, Phagwah, Dhulandi, or Dhuleti. People celebrate this festival by drenching and smearing each other with colors. Water guns and water balloons are also to color each other. People visit their family and friends where they laugh and gossip, share Holi delicacies, foods, and drinks.

But why do we celebrate Holi? The Legend behind is -Hiranyakashipu, the King of demonic Asuras, who earned a boon by Lord Brahma of neither being killed by any man, deva or animal grew arrogant and demanded that everyone should worship him as a god. But his son, Prahlad, disagreed to worship Hiranyakashipu and chose to worship Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu was infuriated by his son and subjected him to cruel punishments. Once, Prahalad fell into a vessel containing hot oil but it soon turned into a bed of flowers because of his devotion for Lord Vishnu. Finally, Holika, the King's sister who was also Prahlad's cruel aunt tricked Prahlad into sitting in a pyre with her. While Holika protected herself with a cloak, Prahlad remained uncovered. As the fire blazed, the cloak which Holika was wearing to protect herself from the fire flew and encased Prahlad, which saved his life. Holika got burned in this incident. This is the reason we celebrate Holi which begins with Holika Bonfire, marking the end of evil. Later Lord Vishnu appeared on Earth in the Avatar of Narsimha, half man and half lion, and killed Hiranyakashipu.

So, this all about Holi-The Festival of Colours.

By: Utkarsh Garg

Sri Venkateshwar International School, Sector 18A, Dwarka, New Delhi