Festival - Holi
Occurrence - Full moon day in the Hindu Month of Falgun ( March as per Gregorian calendar )
Duration - 2 days
First Day - Holika Dahan ( Choti Holi )
Second Day - Rangwali Holi
Reason of Celebration - Start of the Spring, Victory of good over evil, Eternal and divine love of Radha and Krishna
The Hindu festival of Holi is called by many names; Festival of Spring, Festival of Colours, Festival of Eternal Love. It celebrates the victory of Lord Vishnu in the avatar of Narsimha Narayana over the King Hiranyakashipu. The story goes that the Asura King had ordered his sister Holika to place his Vishnu-devotee son, Prahlad and jump in a burning pyre so as to kill him. She had a cloak that protected her from fire but in this instance, Prahlad was saved due to his undying devotion for Lord Vishnu and Holika burnt to death. Subsequently, Hiranyakashipu is killed by the Narasimha avatar of Lord Vishnu.
The second day is more of a fun and frolic with people smearing each other with Abeer ( Gulal ) and spraying water over each other. Again this has scientific significance in that organic and indigenous colours applied to the skin prevent skin infections and spraying each other with water cools one down in the intense heat that is commencing with the end of winter. Unfortunately nowadays much use of chemical colors has become the norm. Music, songs and dance is a part of the second day celebrations.
People make sweets like Gujiya, Puran Poli, Ladoos and Gheeyar to distribute to friends and family. A special drink, Thandai made from many spices and condiments like khus - khus, cardamom, black pepper, pistachios,rose petals etc is prepared as is Bhang that is made from cannabis leaves paste. It gives people a high and a sense of euphoria. Bhang ladoos, thandai, pakoras, pedas etc are extremely popular to consume especially in Mathura and North India. In Mathura and Vrindavan the fervour of Holi is quite unique as Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna and Vrindavan, the place where he spent his childhood.
In cities and modern times many get - togethers, family lunches, rain dances are arranged to have fun.
It is all about fun, food and frolic and many a indiscretions, especially of smearing each other's faces with colours and dunking one in a pool of water etc, are forgiven by the mantra Bura na mano Holi hai ( बुरा न मानो होली है )
Images -
Holika Dhanan - www.jagran.com
Mathura Holi - www.tripoto.com
