#Abeer Gulal

[marathicelebscom]

'अबीर गुलाल' मालिकेत नाट्यमय वळण

[raffaellopalandri]

Let's Get Colorful! Celebrating Holi, the Festival of Colors

Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours, is a vibrant explosion of joy marking the end of winter and the triumph of good over evil. Celebrated primarily in India and by Hindu communities around the world, Holi is a time for throwing off inhibitions, letting loose, and showering loved ones (and sometimes strangers!) in coloured powder. Holi – Image taken from Internet But Holi is much more…

[artangonism]

Belated Holi wishes 💐✨🌸 #holi #holiday #holifestival #holi2023 #holihai #holicelebration #gulal #abeer #festivalofcolours #colors #holimandala #holimandala2023 #radhakrishnaholi #radhakrishna #radheholi #vrindavanholi #vrindavanholi2023 https://www.instagram.com/p/CpqqxJtyYrE/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[springfieldpublicschoolambala]

Holi 2024: Date, Timings, History, Food & Celebration, and All You Need to Know

Holi 2024: Date, Timings, History, Food &Celebration, and All You Need to Know

Holi Hai!'' Listening to this, some of us will 'Rewynd' back to a time when colors weren't just shades of pixels for us but the essence of joy itself.

A time when every wall, every road, and every single person is a canvas, and we are free to paint it the way we like. The time of Holi and Dhuleti!

Picture this: every small village in India, every town, every city, buzzing with excitement as the full moon of Phalguna brightens the sky, signaling the arrival of Holi. With the laughter and playful shouts, there's an old tale being told. A tale of love, courage, and the triumph of good over evil, reminding us why we gather every year to splash colors, share sweets, and celebrate life's beautiful moments. So, grab your colors and let's dive into this vibrant story of Holi together.

What is Holi, and Why Do People Celebrate It?

Holi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the beginning of spring, good harvests, and fertility. It's also known as the Festival of Colors, Love, and Spring. 

Holi, or the 'festival of colors', symbolizes the rich tapestry of Indian culture, celebrating the onset of spring, the victory of good over evil, and the enduring spirit of community. Rooted in ancient legends, like the story of Prahlad and Holika, Holi symbolizes the triumph of faith and goodness.

It also celebrates the divine love of Radha and Krishna, showcasing the playful and delicate aspects of devotion. Beyond the mythology, Holi brings together people from all walks of life, dissolving social barriers in a shared experience of joy, forgiveness, and renewal. 

This festival reflects the essence of Indian tradition, where life is a colorful mosaic of moments shared with loved ones, celebrated with enthusiasm and open hearts.

Holi 2024 date and time:-

In 2024, Holi will be celebrated with its usual pomp and grandeur, aligning with the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Phalguna. The exact date and the auspicious time for Holika Dahan are determined by the Hindu lunar calendar, which represents the essence of tradition and astronomical significance.

Holi and Dhuleti will be observed on March 24th and March 25th, respectively, in 2024. 

The auspicious time, or muhurat, for celebrating Holi falls between 7:19 PM and 9:38 PM on March 24. Following this, on March 25, people can joyously play Holi by sharing colors and spreading cheer amongst friends and family members.

The auspicious time (muhurat) of Holika Dahan is from 23.15.58 minutes to 24.23.27 minutes. That means the duration of Holika Dahan will last for 1 hour and 7 minutes.

Fastival

Date

Timings

Holika Dahan

(Chhoti Holi)

Sunday 

March 24, 2024 

Start at 07:19 PM on March 24th (Evening).

End 09:38 PM, March 24th (Evening) 

Holi/Dhuleti (Badi Holi)

Monday

March 25, 2024

Start 12:24 AM on March 24th (Midnight)

End 02:59 AM 25th March (Mid Night) 

What is Dhuleti (Rangwali Holi)? 

“Dhuleti” is another term commonly used to refer to the celebration of Holi, particularly in regions of India like Gujarat and Maharashtra. 

It usually occurs on the day after the main day of Holi (Badi Holi). 

During Dhuleti, people come together to play with colors, spray colored water (known as "abeer" or "gulal") on each other, dance to music, enjoy festive foods, and exchange greetings and sweets.

It's a vibrant and joyful occasion that symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and the arrival of spring.

How is Holi celebrated in different parts of India?

Fundamentally, Holi is a festival that has a celebration spread across two days. The first day is Holika Dahan, which takes place in the evening. The following day is Dhuleti, where people play with colors, flowers, and water in the morning.

Holi is celebrated with distinct traditions across different regions of India, each adding its own unique cultural flavor to the festivities.

North India (Mathura and Vrindavan): 

The birthplace of Lord Krishna, these cities observe Holi with exceptional zeal. The festivities here include the famous Lathmar Holi, where women playfully hit men with sticks, and the tradition is filled with singing and dancing.

West India (Rajasthan and Gujarat): 

In Rajasthan, royal processions and folk dances add to the Holi charm. Gujarat celebrates with the pot-breaking ritual, where men form human pyramids to reach and break pots of buttermilk.

East India (West Bengal and Odisha): 

In West Bengal, Holi, known as Dol Jatra, is celebrated with musical instruments, singing, and dancing. Idols of Radha and Krishna are placed on swings and worshipped.

South India (Karnataka and Tamil Nadu): 

While Holi is less prominent here, communities come together to celebrate with music, dance, and the exchange of sweets. The focus is more on religious aspects and temple rituals.

Where can I celebrate Holi in India?

Holi can be celebrated in any household, community, residential setting, or hotel in India, as it is a very widely celebrated festival, and you will find everyone celebrating it. 

However, to get the true sense of the Holi and Dhuleti celebrations, you must consider some special regions that take the whole celebration to the next level.

In Delhi, the festival is a musical extravaganza marked by tilak-adorned foreheads and spontaneous street parties. Varanasi's sacred ambience is heightened with colorful powders and riverside festivities. Anandpur Sahib offers a spiritual experience with martial parades and devotional music. Jaipur dazzles with elephant parades and palace events, while Goa's Shigmo brings folklore to life through parades and art. Vrindavan and Mathura draw devotees with their religious fervor, temple rituals, and less-crowded celebrations, truly showcasing India's diverse and rich festival culture.

Safety tips for Holi 2024:

Celebrating Holi safely enhances the joy of the festival. Here are some tips to ensure a safe and vibrant Holi:

Use natural colors: 

Opt for organic and natural colors that are skin-friendly and easy to wash off. Chemical colors can be harmful to the skin and hair.

Protect Your Skin and Hair: 

Apply oil to your skin and hair before playing Holi. This acts as a barrier and makes it easier to remove colors later.

Wear protective clothing. 

Long sleeves and pants can protect your skin from harsh colors and the sun.

Keep Hydrated: 

Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, as Holi celebrations often mean being outdoors for extended periods.

Eye Care: 

Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from colors, and if color gets into your eyes, rinse them with clean water immediately.

Respect Consent: 

Always ensure that you play Holi with those who are willing to participate. Respect personal space and consent.

Safe Eating: 

Enjoy Holi delicacies, but be cautious about consuming anything offered by strangers.

First Aid and Emergency Preparedness: 

Keep a first-aid kit handy for any accidental injuries, and know the emergency contact numbers.

These safety measures will help everyone enjoy Holi while keeping health and well-being in mind.

Holi is more than just a festival; it's a day that brings hearts closer, mends broken bonds, and blankets the world in a spectrum of colors. It's a time when we can all let go of our inhibitions and truly revel in the joy of being together. So, this Holi, let's spread love, joy, and the vibrant colors of togetherness.

FAQs

1. When is Holi in 2024? 

Holi will be celebrated on the 24th and 25th of March 2024, i.e., the full moon day of the Hindu month Phalguna.

2. Is Holi celebrated outside of India? 

 Yes, Holi is celebrated in many countries around the world, wherever there is a significant Indian diaspora.

3. What are the traditional foods prepared and enjoyed during Holi?

Traditional foods include gujiya, mathri, malpua, and thandai, among others.

4. What are the tasty dishes prepared for Holi? 

Dishes like gujiya, dahi bhalla, chhole, and various sweets and savouries are prepared to mark the occasion.

5. What is the timing of the Holi celebration (Holika Dahan) in 2024?

The auspicious time for Holika Dahan is from 11:15:58 PM to 12:23:27 AM. This means that the duration of Holika Dahan will last for 1 hour and 7 minutes.

 Springfield Public School Ambala No-1 Boarding School In India wishing You Very Happy Holi 2024

[astrovastukosh]

Putrada Ekadashi: Know the time and rules of fasting on Putrada Ekadashi, which fills you with wealth and grains in the month of Paush.

Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha of Paush month is known as Putrada Ekadashi. It is said that the importance of this Ekadashi is also written in the Puranas. According to the Hindu calendar, Putrada Ekadashi falls twice a year. The first one falls on the Ekadashi date of Shukla Paksha of Pausha month. Whereas the fast of the second Putrada Ekadashi is observed on the Ekadashi date of Shukla Paksha of Sawan month. This fast is dedicated to Lord Shri Vishnu and it is believed that by observing Pausha Putrada Ekadashi fast, one gets virtuous results equal to Vajpayee Yagya. According to religious scriptures, this fast is considered very fruitful for those who do not have children. This time in Putrada Ekadashi. Si. Yoga is being formed, due to which the sanctity of this fast has increased further.

Putrada Ekadashi Putrada Ekadashi 2024 date and time:

This time Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha of Paush month is falling on Sunday, 21 January 2024. This Ekadashi is considered very special, especially for those who wish to have a son, this fast is considered very important. This time a very auspicious Yoga i.e. Shukla Yoga is being formed in Putrada Ekadashi. Worshiping Lord Vishnu in this yoga increases happiness and prosperity. The work done in this yoga leads to auspicious results.

Putrada Ekadashi Ekadashi Tithi Start: 20th January 2024 at 07:28 PM

Ekadashi's date ends on 21 January 2024 at 07:29 pm. According to Udaya Tithi, the Ekadashi fast will be observed on the 21st of January.

Paush Putrada Ekadashi Paran Muhurta: 07:13 AM to 09:21 AM on 22nd January.

Duration: 2 hours 7 minutes

Putrada Ekadashi Importance of Putrada Ekadashi:

According to religious beliefs, if a person observes this fast as per the rituals then he gets the happiness of having a child. By observing the Putrada Ekadashi fast, the devotee gets all kinds of material comforts. Also, he finally goes to Vaikuntha Dham and is liberated from all sins. Apart from this, the health of the children of those who observe this fast also remains good and their married life also remains happy. By observing fast on this auspicious day one gets freedom from all kinds of sins. By observing this fast, all the wishes of a person are fulfilled. By observing this fast, childless couples also get a child. According to religious beliefs, observing Ekadashi fast leads to salvation after death.

Ekadashi fast puja material

Picture or statue of Shri Vishnu flower Coconut Betel Fruit cloves Sunlight lamp Ghee Panchamrit intact sweet Basil Sandalwood sweet stuff

Putrada Ekadashi worship method of Putrada Ekadashi:

Install the idol of Lord Vishnu in the temple. Then take water from the conch and anoint the idol.

Apply sandalwood tilak to Lord Vishnu. Worship with rice, flowers, abeer, gulal, perfume, etc., and light a ghee lamp in front of the idol.

On this day, if possible, worship wearing yellow clothes and also offer yellow clothes to Lord Vishnu.

Also, offer amla, clove, lemon, and betel nut along with seasonal fruits to Shri Hari Vishnu. After this, offer kheer made from cow's milk. Keep in mind that Tulsi must be kept in the offering because Tulsi is very dear to Lord Vishnu.

After this, perform Aarti and read the story of Putrada Ekadashi because without it the fast is considered incomplete.

Shukla Yoga is being formed on this day. In such a situation, go to the temple and worship Shri Hari and Har and also do bhajan-kirtan of Lord Vishnu on the night of Ekadashi and ask for forgiveness from Shri Hari Vishnu for any mistake or sin committed unknowingly.

Feed the Brahmins the next day. Break the fast only after this.

Fast story of Putrada Ekadashi

Lord Krishna himself had told the importance of Putrada Ekadashi to Dharmaraj Yudhishthir. According to the legend, in a city, there lived a king named Suketuman, whose wife's name was Shaivya. The king and queen had no children, about which he was always worried. He was always worried about who would take over his throne after that who would perform his last rites, Shraddha, Pind Daan, etc. after his death who would liberate him, and who would satisfy his ancestors. Just thinking about all this, the king started falling ill.

Once the king went out to visit the forest and started seeing the beauty of nature, there he saw how deer, peacocks, and other animals and birds were enjoying life with their wives and children. Seeing this he became even more disturbed. He started thinking that despite doing so many good deeds, I was childless. Then the king felt thirsty and started wandering here and there in search of water. While wandering, his eyes fell on the hermitage of sages built on the banks of a river. Being a devotee, the king went there and paid obeisance to all the sages. Seeing the simple nature of the king, all the sages were extremely pleased with him and asked him to ask for a boon. To which the king replied, “O God! By the grace of God and you Saint Mahatmas, I have everything, only I have no children, due to which my life is meaningless.”

Hearing this the sage said, “King! God himself has sent you here today with a special blessing on you. Today is Putrada Ekadashi and you should fast on this Ekadashi with full devotion. By doing this you will get a son. Hearing this from the sage, the king observed that fast and according to the rules Break the fast on the day of Dashashi. After a few days, the queen became pregnant and gave birth to a bright and successful son and finally, the king attained salvation. In this way the importance of this fast increased manifold.

Surefire and effective remedies on the day of Putrada Ekadashi

Putrada Ekadashi to get the blessings of Lord Vishnu

On the day of Putrada Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu should be anointed by pouring milk in the Dakshinavarti conch. Also, Lord Vishnu should be garlanded with yellow flowers, and applying sandalwood tilak on the forehead of Shri Hari is especially fruitful. It is believed that by doing this, Lord Vishnu can be pleased quickly and his special blessings can be obtained.

[jaswinder-singh-bhalla]

Festivals are a unique hallmark of human culture or an immense accumulation of past glorious histories and might obtain enthusiasm for ideal values. Holi is an ancient Hindu religious festival that comes in spring, also known as the Festival of Colours, bringing attributes of the victory of good over evil. Holi celebration begins with lighting up a bonfire on the Holi evening, being celebrated all over India, wishing each other ‘Happy Holi’ and celebrating by giving thanks for a good harvest. People rub ‘gulal’ and ‘abeer’ (coloured powder) on each other

. Importance of colours

Sir Isaac Newton experimented with passing the sunlight through a prism and concluded that colour consists of its waves and wavelengths, vibrating at different frequencies. The spectrum comes with colours- red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Raindrops act like a prism, and the sunlight passes through them to expand the colour spectrum. While Theo Gimbel has formulated a new approach to colour the therapy, it produces a biochemical reaction within our body through stimulating vital glands, like the pineal and the pituitary gland of the endocrine system, which give the hormones that regulate body functions. Reiki, colours and festivals have formed a harmonious combination. You could blend beautifully through refined visualization.

How colours affects us

Red affects the metabolic rate, appetite, sleep, and sex; the corresponding nerve · Plexuses in the physical body and stimulate Root chakra. · Oranges affect the Prostatic and stimulate the sacral plexus. · Yellow stimulates the Solar plexus. · Green affects the Cardiac plexus and stimulates the Heart Chakra. · Blue affects the Laryngeal plexus and stimulates the Throat Chakra. · Indigo affects the Cavernous and stimulates the third Eye Chakra. · Violet stimulates the Crown resonates violet.

In addition, by this, how he came to the scientific explanation of colour. Nature gives everything in harmony, surrounded by we can perceive it and enhance it through visualization and meditation. It is better to surround ourselves with colours for reeing the different colours upon us and within, and feel good, supported by our environment

[suchananewsblog]

In Hindi movies, Holi songs sport a rainbow of colours

A splash of abeer and gulal, litres of water – coloured or plain, a slew of your favourite mithais and savouries and a bit of bhang if you are the adventurous sort. Tick all these boxes and one is set for an elaborate celebration on Holi which will still be incomplete without one essential component – Hindi songs to groove on. As it is no Indian festival is complete without songs. Bollywood too…

[inevitable-trash]

pov : it's holi and you and your friends had a blast. painted each other with abeer gulal and all kinds of colours and now back to home had lunch and feeling heavy in head because of all the colours. and now you all just napping in your houses.

[mymoledroo]

Mohe Rang De: The Vibrant Colors of India

A religious festival, Holi is distinguished as much by religious zeal and devotion as it is by loud music and traditional dances and the vigorous scrubbing of bright gulal and abeer on friends and family members. Moledro

[buyholicolor]

Herbal Gulal Powder - Buy Organic Holi Color at best price from Holicolor.com  Explore now! Low Prices. No Cost EMI Available. Best Deals. Huge Selection. Great Offers. Easy & Fast Delivery. Top Brands. Buy Herbal Gulal Pure Abeer for Safe Gift Holi Color Powder. Our Herbal Gulal is a perfect blend of organic and natural extracts of fruits, leaves, and barks with a fusion of flowers and herbs.

[brijdarshan]

The Divine Tale

Brij ki Holi is believed to have emerged from this very thought of Lord Krishna when he asked his mother Yashoda that why is he having the dark complexion and why his beloved Radha is having the fair complexion. After which, Shyam Sundar Kanha along with his friends from Nandgaon headed straight to Barsana to color Radhika in his own color. Goddess Radha along with other Gopis in response to the abeer and gulal chased away Nandagopala and his friends beating them playfully with long bamboo sticks.

visit us-https://www.brijdarshan.com/

[artangonism]

Belated Holi wishes 💐✨🌸 #holi #holiday #holifestival #holi2023 #holihai #holicelebration #gulal #abeer #festivalofcolours #colors #holimandala #holimandala2023 #radhakrishnaholi #radhakrishna #radheholi #vrindavanholi #vrindavanholi2023 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpqp_woyUOl/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[upasakstore]

Ganesh pooja samagri contains 26 articles (Sunny, Incense stick, Roli, Moly, Matchbox, Kapoor, Ganges water, Cloves, Cardamom, Betel, Sugar candy, Rice, Cotton wool, Aarti Collection, Ghee holdings, Yellow clothes, Perfume, 3d photo, Janeu, turmeric, Kalash, Yellow mustard, The honey, Sandalwood Saffron, Gulal and Abeer). Ganesh pooja samagri comes with premium products and attractive packaging. 

[travelcenter-uk]

Holi Festival: Gratitude within a variety of colours.

Holi Festival is a paradigm of colours which defines affection and gratitude of the Holy Hindu Nation. It exposes the victorious conquer of the benevolent virtuous against the vicious evil force. The festival directly fastened to a spiritual relationship with the religion Hinduism.

The beautiful flash of colours celebrated by Hindus in Phagun (the spring season from February until March in India.) Generally, the festival celebrated among Indian subcontinent and observed in countries where the Indian Diaspora population is residing.

The festival celebrated as an offering of enthusiastic harmony for a good harvest, fertile land, and the plentiful of colours of the season. Nevertheless, the name Holi mentioned by different titles according to the locations in India. The original prominent detail of this bizarre festival is splashing bright colour mixed water or the powder at each other in a compassionate intention to prove their all-together society.

Sometimes prior to the festival, Indian markets are flooded with lots of hues of abeer and gulal (bright-colour-powder), Mitaees (Indian sweets), and pichkari (colour-throwing instruments). And also, most of the household people partake in a traditional family shopping spree to prepare for the festival.

The ambience of the festival surrounded by groups of participants, and they are holding into bonfires and trick-playing with each other with wet or dry colours for pleasure; observe well to hear people often yell out “Bura na mano Holi hai” (Do not feel offended, it is Holi).

Because of the purity of the festival, many participants often will be dressed in white cloths to see the visibility of the blend of colours (hot pink, canary yellow, and fluorescent green). Holi is an ancient festival originated from the Indian region of Bengal where it introduced as the Gaudiya Vaishnava festival.

Religious Involvement

The Story of Prahlad

The beginning of the Holi Festival is about a prince called Prahlad and his father, King Hiranyakashipu. The king’s ego caused by the granted power of God because of his prayer offerings; tempted him to destroy his son’s strong relationship with the Lord Vishnu. Holi is a special occasion to Hindus of Prahlad’s faith in God and God’s power to defeat evil.

Lamps Lighting

The Hindus’ worshipping of God called puja, and every Hindu household holds a pure place called a shrine— set aside only for puja. Hindus often worship at the temple or home. However, in either situation, they light a small lamp called diva, made by twisted cotton dipped in lamp-oil. This ritual has done because the Hindus believe that fire has the power to purify and cleanse.

Holi Festival Foods

GUNJIYA is a deep-fried dumpling cooked with suji or maida and stuffed with a mixture of sweetened khoya and dried fruits. It serves as a sweet snack.

KHASTA KACHAURI is a spicy snack introduced from the Indian subcontinent. This snack also called as a fried dumpling and cooked by using gram flour and moong dal.

SOOKHE KOFTE is Minced meat finely ground with a range of spices and fried.

PAAPRI CHAAT is a famous traditional fast food and street food from India, made by using fried dough wafers known as papri, boiled chickpeas, boiled potatoes, dahi (yoghurt), tamarind chutney topped with chaat masala and sev.

THANDAI is an Indian cold drink made by a mixture of almonds, fennel seeds, watermelon, kernels, rose petals, pepper, vetiver seeds, cardamom, saffron, milk and sugar.

International Recognition

Indians residing all over the world, arrange sophisticated events to celebrate Holi Festival without boundaries. They welcome any ethnicity of people to feast with gusto and bonhomie. People play with a variety of colours, and they light a bonfire referred to as Holika to celebrate the victory of good over evil.

Indian events & venues of Holi FestivalHoli Festival in Panaji, Goa, India

Holi Festival in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, India

Holi Festival in Barsana, Uttar Pradesh, India

Holi Festival in Anandpur Sahib, India

Holi Festival in Hampi, Karnataka, India

Holi Festival in The Country Club: Mumbai India

International events & venues of Holi Festival Holi Festival in Los Angeles Whittier Narrows Recreation Area

Holi Festival in Wurzburg, Germany

Holi Festival in The Paddock, Melbourne

05 Things to remember

Holi Festival is of equality, happiness, and enormity; because of the all-enjoy attitude, the hype is original, so, be careful if you can’t handle.

Don’t forget to purchase a separate transparent bag to cover your camera and lenses or it will ruin.

Make sure to dress in all white cloths and removable slippers.

Always keep a hand full of coloured powder or water-balloons.

Make sure to respect religious places by avoiding alcohol consumption in India.

Read More:- https://blog.travelcenter.uk/holi-festival-gratitude-within-a-variety-of-colours/

This Article, Information & Images Source (copyright) :- https://blog.travelcenter.uk

[jetsevent-blog]

Holi, Festival of Colours Jetsevent

Holi is a colorful and most fun-filled festival which is celebrated in the month of March, usually in the latter half of the month. It is a festival, with dancing, singing, and throwing of powder paint and colored water. Numerous legends and stories associated with Holi celebration makes the festival more exuberant and vivid. The most popular one is related to the killing of Holika. The story centers around an arrogant king who wanted everyone in his kingdom to worship him. But his son Prahlad refused and worshipped Lord Vishnu instead. He attempts to kill his son but fails each time. Finally, the king’s sister Holika who is said to be immune to burning, sits with the boy in a huge fire. However, the prince Prahlada emerges unscathed, while his aunt burns to death. Holi commemorates this event from mythology, and huge bonfires are burnt on the eve of Holi as its symbolic representation.

Great excitement can be seen in people on the next day when it is actually the time for the play of colours. Shops and offices remain closed for the day and people get all the time to get crazy and whacky. Bright colours of gulal and abeer fill the air and people take turns in pouring colour water over each other. Children take special delight in spraying colours on one another with their pichkaris and throwing water balloons. Women and senior citizen form groups called tolis and move in colonies – applying colours and exchanging greetings. Songs, dance on the rhythm of dholak and mouthwatering Holi delicacies are the other highlights of the day. Parties are often organized where people dance to music and greet each other with colors.

The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair ruptured relationships.

Some families hold religious ceremonies, but for many Holi is more a time for fun than religious observance. After a fun filled and exciting day, they spent the evening in sobriety when people meet friends and relatives and exchange sweets and festive greetings.

Holi festival may be celebrated with various names and people of different states might be following different traditions. But, what makes Holi so unique and special is the spirit of it which remains the same throughout the country and even across the globe, wherever it is celebrated.

Come and celebrate with Jetsevent  ! This year is on of March 2020 !

Best Event Management Company

[tipsycad147]

Aries March Holi – A Festival of Color

By shirleytwofeathers

Holika, or Holi for short, is the Festival of Colour. It marks the end of the nippy winter months and the beginning of spring. This festival comes during the full moon in the Hindu month of Phagan, in February or March. In 2019, it falls on March 21, with the Holika Dahan beginning the evening of March 20.

Bura na mano, Holi hai! “Don’t mind (feel offense), it’s Holi!”

Holi is one of the major festivals of India and is celebrated on different dates every year. This great Indian festival is observed at the end of the winters in the month of March after the full Moon. A day before Holi a large bonfire is lit that helps in burning out the evil spirits and that whole process is called as Holika Dahan.

Traditions and customs:

Throwing coloured powder on each other

Throwing coloured and scented water

Public bonfire

Singing, dancing, and festive parties

This is a day to forget your worries

Colour can be found everywhere

Holi is celebrated with extreme enthusiasm and joy. Gulal, abeer and pichkaris are synonymous with the festival. Elaborate plans are made to colour loved ones and family members. Everybody wants to be the first one to colour the other. In the ensuing battle of colors, everybody is drowned not just in colours of gulal but also in love and mirth. People love to drench each other in coloured water. Gujiyas and other sweets are offered to everyone who comes across to colour.

Temples are beautifully decorated at the time of Holi. Idol of Radha is placed on swings and devotees turn the swings singing devotional Holi songs. Small plays are organised reflecting the spirit of the festival.

Fun, frolic, boisterousness to the extent of buffoonery marks this festival of colours. What more can be expected- when the people get a social sanction to get intoxicated on the bhang, open not just their hearts but also their lungs. And viola, nobody is expected to take offence too, as the norm of the day is, ‘Bura na mano Holi hai‘.

Holi Legends and Mythology

Foremost is the legend of Prahlad and Hiranyakshyap. The legend says there once lived a devil and powerful king, Hiranyakshyap who considered himself a god and wanted everybody to worship him. He demanded that no one pray to Lord Vishnu and that they only pray to him. In fear, people did as he bid. However, his son Pralhad was devoted to Lord Vishnu and would not abide by his father’s rules. To discipline him, Hirankashyap ordered harsh and cruel punishments, yet no harm came to Pralhad.

Finally, Holika (Hirankashyap sister), who was immune to the harms of fire, was ordered to sit on a bed of flames with Pralhad on her lap. Holika was burnt, but Pralhad survived unharmed. As Holika lay dying she begged Pralhad for forgiveness. Pralhad forgave her and deemed that one day a year would be to remember her. To commemorate “Holi”, large bonfires burn and people say a prayer to “Holi” for well-being.

Holi is also associated with the immortal love of Krishna and Radha. A young Krishna complained to his mother Yashoda about having such a dark complexion compared to his love Radha who was so fair. Yashoda told him to apply colour to Radha’s face and see what would happen.

Today, celebrations start early in Nandagaon, where Lord Krishna grew up. Men from Nandagaon raid nearby Barsana (where Radha grew up) with hopes of raising their flag over Shri Radhikaji’s temple. The women of Barsana “beat” the raiders with long wooden sticks. This is a mock battle and the men are well-padded as they try to evade capture. If captured, the men are forced to dress as women, paint their faces, and dance!

Mythology also states that Holi is the celebration of death of Ogress Pootana who tried to kill infant, Krishna by feeding him poisonous milk.

Another legend of Holi which is extremely popular in Southern India is that of Lord Shiva and Kaamadeva. According to the legend, people in south celebrate the sacrifice of Lord of Passion Kaamadeva who risked his life to revoke Lord Shiva from meditation and save the world.

Also, popular is the legend of Ogress Dhundhi who used to trouble children in the kingdom of Raghu and was ultimately chased away by the pranks of the children on the day of Holi. Showing their belief in the legend, children till date play pranks and hurl abuses at the time of Holika Dahan.

Cultural Significance

Celebration of the various legends associated with Holi reassure the people of the power of the truth as the moral of all these legends is the ultimate victory of good over evil. The legend of Hiranyakashyap and Prahlad also points to the fact that extreme devotion to god pays as god always takes his true devotee in his shelter.

All these legends help the people to follow a good conduct in their lives and believe in the virtue of being truthful. This is extremely important in the modern day society when so many people resort to evil practices for small gains and torture one who is honest. Holi helps the people to believe in the virtue of being truthful and honest and also to fight away the evil.

Besides, holi is celebrated at a time of the year when the fields are in full bloom and people are expecting a good harvest. This gives a people a good reason to rejoice, make merry and submerge themselves in the spirit of Holi.

Social Significance

Holi helps to bring the society together and strengthen the secular fabric of our country. For, the festival is celebrated by non-Hindus also as everybody like to be a part of such a colourful and joyous festival.

Also, the tradition of the Holi is that even the enemies turn friends on Holi and forget any feeling of hardship that may be present. Besides, on this day people do not differentiate between the rich and poor and everybody celebrate the festival together with a spirit of bonhomie and brotherhood.

In the evening people visit friends and relatives and exchange gifts, sweets and greetings. This helps in revitalising relationships and strengthening emotional bonds between people.

Biological Significance

It is interesting to note that the festival of Holi is significant for our lives and body in many other ways than providing joy and fun.

We also need to thank our forefathers who started the trend of celebrating Holi at such a scientifically accurate time. And, also for incorporating so much fun in the festival.

Why Celebrate Holi?

As Holi comes at a time of the year when people have a tendency to feel sleepy and lazy. This is natural for the body to experiences some tardiness due to the change from the cold to the heat in the atmosphere. To counteract this tardiness of the body, people sing loudly or even speak loudly. Their movements are brisk and their music is loud. All of this helps to rejuvenate the system of the human body.

Besides, the colours when sprayed on the body have a great impact on it. Biologists believe the liquid dye or Abeer penetrates the body and enters into the pores. It has the effect of strengthening the ions in the body and adds health and beauty to it.

There is yet another scientific reason for celebrating the Holi, this however pertains to the tradition of Holika Dahan. The mutation period of winter and spring, induces the growth of bacteria in the atmosphere as well as in the body. When Holika is burnt, temperature rises to about 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Following the tradition when people perform Parikrima (circumambulation or going around) around the fire, the heat from the fire kills the bacteria in the body thus, cleansing it.

The way Holi is celebrated in south, the festival also promotes good health. For, the day after the burning of Holika people put ash (Vibhuti) on their forehead and they would mix Chandan (sandalpaste) with the young leaves and flowers of the Mango tree and consume it to promote good health.

Some also believe that play with colours help to promote good health as colours are said to have great impact on our body and our health. Western-Physicians and doctors believe that for a healthy body, colours too have an important place besides the other vital elements. Deficiency of a particular colour in our body causes ailment, which can be cured only after supplementing the body with that particular colour.

People also clean-up their houses on Holi which helps in clearing up the dust and mess in the house and get rid of mosquitoes and others pests. A clean house generally makes the residents feel good and generate positive energies.

Sources:

Web Holidays

Holi Festival

https://shirleytwofeathers.com/The_Blog/pagancalendar/category/march/