The Holi Festival of Colour India, also known as the “Festival of Colors” or the “Festival of Love”, is a joyous Hindu festival that is celebrated annually in India and Nepal. Holi commemorates the triumph of good over evil, the arrival of spring, and the celebration of divine love.
Holi, also known as Holika Purnima, starts in the evening of Purnima (Full Moon Day) in the month of Phalguna. On the same day, Hindus in Bengal and in the cities of Mathura and Vrindavan, also celebrate Gaura Purnima, the birthday of Gauranga Mahaprabhu. Gauranga Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was an Indian saint, believed to be the combined avatar of Lord Krishna and his consort, Radha.
The exact date of Holi festival of colors varies each year as it is based on the lunar calendar. However, it typically falls in late February or early March on the Gregorian calendar. The festival is of great importance to Hindus, as it marks the end of winter and the beginning of a new season.
Holi is celebrated for two days: The first day, known as Choti Holi or Holika Dahan is named after the demoness Holika, and on that day’s night they burn the effigy of Holika in a bonfire. The ritual symbolizes the power of faith and the triumph of good over evil. The second day, known as Rangwali Holi or Dhulandi is when the fun begins.
Featured Image: TAPAS KUMAR HALDER, The festival of colourful face, CC BY-SA 4.0
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The Meaning of Holi: Celebrating the Power of Love
Table of Contents
- The Origins of Holi
- The Significance Of Colored Powder
- How is Holi Celebrated
- What to Eat & Drink on Holi
- Popular Desserts & Sweets
- Popular Drinks
The Origins of Holi
Holi is an ancient Hindu festival and its origins can be traced back to ancient Hindu mythology and legends that surround it. One such legend is the story of Prahlada and his evil father, Hiranyakashyap. Another legend is the story of Lord Krishna and Radha, where he playfully applies color to her face to express his divine love for her.
The Story of Prahlada & Hiranyakashyap
According to legend, Hiranyakashyap, was a powerful demon king who demanded to be worshipped as the only god. However, his son Prahlada, who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu, refused to worship his father. To punish Prahlada, Hiranyakashyap tried several times to kill him, but each time, Lord Vishnu intervened and saved him.
Infuriated, Hiranyakashyap sought the help of his sister, the demoness Holika, who was immune to fire. He asked her to take Prahlada in her lap and sit in a bonfire, in the expectation that the boy would be consumed by the flames. However, Lord Vishnu intervened and protected Prahlada while Holika was burned to death.
In the end, Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of his Narasimha (half-man, half-lion) incarnation and killed Hiranyakashyap.
The story of Prahlada & Hiranyakashyap demonstrates the importance of faith and devotion. In addition, it signifies how evil, despite its great power, will ultimately be defeated.
The Story of Krishna & Radha
The story of Krishna and Radha is one of the most beloved and popular love stories in Hindu mythology. Krishna is considered a divine figure in Hinduism and is revered as the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. According to legend, Krishna was poisoned during his infancy by the evil Putana and as a result his skin turned blue.
Krishna spent his childhood years in the small town of Vrindavan. He used to play his flute and sing while the cowherd girls would dance around him, captivated by his music and charm. Among these girls was Radha, the most beautiful and pure-hearted of them all, whom Krishna eventually fell in love with.
However, Krishna was melancholic since he was convinced that Radha could never love him because of his skin colour. Seeing Krishna unhappy, his mother Yashoda, suggested he colors Radha with paint, leading to the colorful powder celebration. Krishna and Radha became inseparable companions.
Their love was said to be pure and selfless, with Radha seeing Krishna as the ultimate manifestation of divinity, and Krishna seeing Radha as the embodiment of devotion and love. However, despite their deep connection, Krishna and Radha were never able to be together in a conventional sense. Krishna left Vrindavan to become a prince, while Radha remained behind pining for her beloved.
Their love story is often seen as a metaphor for the love between the individual soul and the divine, with Krishna representing the ultimate truth and Radha representing the devoted soul that seeks union with the divine.
The Significance Of Colored Powder
The use of colour powder and water is a significant aspect of the Holi Hindu festival. The powder, known as “gulal,” is made from natural ingredients such as dried flowers and herbs. The powder is traditionally thrown on festival goers, and people dance and play with it. The use of colored water is also common, with people using water balloons and water guns to douse each other in vibrant colors.
Another important aspect of Holi festival is the use of vibrant colors. The festival is often referred to as the “Festival of Colors” or “Rangwali Holi” in reference to the colored powders and water that are traditionally thrown and smeared on festival goers. These colors are often made from natural ingredients such as flowers, spices, and herbs and are believed to have healing properties. The use of different colors also holds symbolic meaning for Hindus. Also, the use of water in Holi is said to symbolize the arrival of spring and the end of the dry season. It is also believed to have a purifying effect, both physically and spiritually.
How is Holi Celebrated
The celebrations of Holi can vary depending on the region of India. In northern India, particularly in the state of Uttar Pradesh, the Holi festival is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm. The streets are filled with people dancing, singing, and throwing colors.
The city of Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, is particularly famous for its Holi celebrations. In Mathura, the festival is celebrated for a week, starting with Choti Holi, also known as Holika Dahan, and ending with Rangwali Holi.
On Choti Holi, people gather around bonfires to burn effigies of the demoness Holika, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. The next day, Rangwali Holi, also known as “Phoolon Wali Holi”, is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor. People take to the streets, smearing each other with colored powders and water, and dancing to the beats of traditional dhols and tambourines.
In southern India, the celebrations are more subdued and focus more on the religious aspect of the festival. In this region, people gather in temples to perform special prayers and rituals.
Regardless of the region, the Holi festival of colors is a time for people to come together, forget their differences, and celebrate the arrival of spring. It is a day for people to let loose and have fun, and for families and friends to come together and bond. The Holi Hindu festival is so beloved that it is even considered a national holiday in India and Nepal.
What to Eat & Drink on Holi
Indian cuisine is delicious, an harmonious balance of fresh products and a heavenly mixture of spices. Traditional Holi dishes and delicacies are prepared during the festival and there are several dishes, snacks, sweets and drinks one should try.
Popular food dishes
Dahi Balle
Fried, soft dough balls made of urad dal and curd (dahi) that are dipped in chilled yogurt and garnished with green and tamarind chutney. They are topped with spices like chili powder, black pepper and mint.
Puran Poli
A sweet flat bread, stuffed with chana dal and usually sweetened with jaggery or sugar. It contains fennel seeds, nutmeg, cardamom and ghee.
Papdi Chaat
Crispy dough wafers served with yogurt, chickpeas, boiled potatoes and tamarind chutney.
Chana Masala
Dry cooked chana chickpeas, together with mango powder, crushed pomegranate seeds and masala spices.
Kachori
Fried pastry balls stuffed with horse beans, red chili powder, black pepper and savoury spices. Served with tamarind chutney for dipping, Kachori is the perfect finger food.
Namak Paare
Deep fried crispies made from a combination of three types of flour and seasoned with salt and ghee.
Kathal Ki Sabji
Vegetarian meat cooked with onions, potatoes, tomatoes and a mixture of savoury spices.
Muton Curry
Lambmeat, yogurt, onions, spinach leaves and spices. Served with steamed rice.
Dhuska
A crispy yet puffed bread made with rice, chana dal, green chilies, garlic, ginger, coriander and cumin seeds.
Besan Papdi
Similar to a mini poppadom, this is spicy snack featuring chili powder and black pepper.
Kanji Ke Vade
Flour, asafoetida, red chili and mustard seeds are crushed and then deep fried to produce a delicious light and spicy snack.
Masala Mathri
Spicy crackers seasoned with a variety of savoury spices.
Pakora
Pakora are small, crispy fritters that come in a number of varieties. Vegetable pakoras are usually made from potatoes, onions, spices and herbs, while other varieties may include eggplant, spinach, cauliflower and also chicken.
Popular Desserts & Sweets
Ghujiya
Moon shaped, crispy fried dumplings traditionally made with khoya (milk fudge), coconut and dry fruits stuffing. There are also varieties including chocolate, cinnamon and thandai mawa filling.
Barfi
A traditional, fudge-like sweet made from condensed milk, sugar, ground nuts and seasoned with cardamom. It comes in a variety of flavours like pistachio, almond, chocolate or rose. Topped with sliced nuts and fruits.
Ras malai
A creamy, sweet dumpling stuffed with creamed rice, pistachio, saffron and served with cardamom cream.
Malpua
A delicious pancake that comes in a variety of flavours like mango, pineapple and banana. Made from semolina, khoya and cardamom it is fried in ghee, drenched in sugar syrup.
Laddu
Ball shaped sweet made from ground flour or semolina, with dried fruits and nuts. In Uttar Pradesh, people throw laddu at one another.
Mattar Ki Kheer
Green pea based rice pudding sweetened with raisins and pistachios.
Popular Drinks
Lassi
Made from yogurt and blended with water, this Punjabi originated beverage comes in a variety of flavours. Often containg fruits and clotted cream (malai) added.
Kanji
A therapeutic drink made from black carrots, asfoetida, chili powder, mustard seed, black salt and water.
Thandai
A refreshing milk based drink made with almonds, sugar, saffron and a mixture of spices. Often topped with nuts, cashews, almonds, cardamom, poppy seeds, black pepper, fennel seed and rose petals.
Bhaang Thandai
A milk based beverage made from butter, mango, spices and crushed cannabis plants. Drink with moderation!
A Word of Caution about Holi
The festival of colors attracts travelers who want to experience this uniquely vibrant atmosphere. However, no matter how joyful the festival celebrations may be, there are certain things you should be aware of in order to enjoy this visual feast safely:
- Use only natural made, skin-friendly dyes. Synthetic dyes contain harmful chemicals and should be avoided.
- Use a day cream to moisturize and protect your face and exposed body parts, like your arms and legs. A sunscreen would be an ideal choice. It will allow the paint to be washed off easily later.
- Use an oily hair sunscreen spray to protect you hair. For added protection, you can cover your hair by wearing a cap or hat.
- Wear sunglasses to ensure that your eyes are protected at all times. Synthetic dyes may contain harmful chemicals that can irritate your eyes, or cause more serious problems.
- Keep a bottle of water handy to rinse off any paint from your eyes.
- Wear your worst clothes so that you won’t have to worry if they get stained.
- Eat and drink with moderation. Avoid too much alcohol or indulging in bhang.
Happy Holi
होली की शुभकामनाएं
Holi Ki Subhkamnayein
