Holi signifies love, purity and freedom. Is there any Indian who has not played Holi is his/her lifetime ever? This question is asked at the onset since, in spite of being a Hindu festival originally; it is no longer confined among Hindus. With the passing of day, more and more people from other religious communities also are being witnessed to take part in Holi or the festival of colors. Holi is one of the main festivals of Hindus around the globe and is played by all of them despite social echelons and ethnic and linguistic differences.
When did the festival start? None knows it but legends confirm that it is associated with Lord Krishna and celebrated during Phalgum Purnima, by and large occurs at the end of the month of February or in the early hours of March. There are other significances of Holi as well. Akin to Diwali, this festival also celebrates the victory of virtue over vice and good forces over the evil forces. What is more, through participating in this festival, people rebuild or recreate their social bonds.
In short, celebration of the festival begins from its eve when on earth people is found to celebrate bonfire or Holika Dahan. Well, this is related to another legend; the legend of young Prahalada, a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. Even if Holi is celebrated across India and among the India diaspora communities in lots of countries throughout the globe, some differences do exist. There does exist some differences between the celebrations of Holi in the Indian states of Bengal and Maharashtra but the basis remains the same.
In general, colored powder and colored water are thrown at each other but these days synthetic colors are also used; this is quite perilous and can lead to major problems. It is also true that celebration of Holi often leads to communal riots in different parts of India. This should not happen; Holi is the festival of masses, not of any particular community, and marks love, sacredness and freedom.
When did the festival start? None knows it but legends confirm that it is associated with Lord Krishna and celebrated during Phalgum Purnima, by and large occurs at the end of the month of February or in the early hours of March. There are other significances of Holi as well. Akin to Diwali, this festival also celebrates the victory of virtue over vice and good forces over the evil forces. What is more, through participating in this festival, people rebuild or recreate their social bonds.
In short, celebration of the festival begins from its eve when on earth people is found to celebrate bonfire or Holika Dahan. Well, this is related to another legend; the legend of young Prahalada, a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. Even if Holi is celebrated across India and among the India diaspora communities in lots of countries throughout the globe, some differences do exist. There does exist some differences between the celebrations of Holi in the Indian states of Bengal and Maharashtra but the basis remains the same.
In general, colored powder and colored water are thrown at each other but these days synthetic colors are also used; this is quite perilous and can lead to major problems. It is also true that celebration of Holi often leads to communal riots in different parts of India. This should not happen; Holi is the festival of masses, not of any particular community, and marks love, sacredness and freedom.