Holi is primarily a religious festival celebrated by Hindus. Still, in a secular country like India, even non-Hindu enjoy it.
It is the festival of colours celebrated by people across the region. According to the Hindu calendar, it falls in the month of Phalgun ( February to March ).
It signifies the win of God over evil, therefore, the burning of Holika and the saving of Bhakt Prahlad. In West Bengal and its surrounding parts, it is also called Dol Jatra. It marks the beginning of the spring season.
Although Holi is a Hindu festival popular among non-Hindu, people gather on the night before Holi, also known as Choti Holi, to perform various religious rituals. Then pray to God for the destruction of evils inside the society. Holika Dahan burning of the demon Holika on the night Pupil gather to perform religious rituals around the Fire and offer prayer.
The next morning Pupil starts colouring each other with coloured powder, a water gun and a water-filled balloon. Group of children March the street with colours and play musical instruments such as drums and flute.
The original story behind the celebration of Holi connected with the evil King Hiranya Kashyap and his son Prahlad, a devotee of Vishnu Hiranya Kashyap considers lord Vishnu as his enemy. On the other hand, Prahlad was a true devotee of Lord Vishnu. Hirayanya Kashyap prohibits his son from worshipping Lord Vishnu. But Prahlad did not listen to his father and continued worshipping Lord Vishnu.
This thing irritates Haranya Kashyap and challenges him (Prahlad) to sit on the prayer of his aunt Holika who is immune from Fire. When the Fire began, Holika was burnt to that, whereas Prahlad was safe and secure without any damage. The burning of Holika is celebrated as a festival of Holi.
But some people consider that festival an agriculture festival, celebrating the beginning of spring and the ending of winter.
Before the festival, people arrive at night and prepare a bonfire in an open space known as Holika Dahan, Chhoti Holi, or small Holi. The Vedas and Puranas, other holy texts of Hindus, mention the evidence of Holika Utsav. A sacred fire of Holi that was born with the chanting of a specific Mantra to destroy Evil forces.
Holi is closely associated with religion and mythology. There are different types of stories related to the celebration of Holi.
The first story behind the celebration of Holi is about the evil Hiran Kashyap and his son Prahlad. Hiran Kashyap considers himself the deity and desires that everyone worships him. On the other hand, his son Prahlad began to worship Lord Vishnu.
It irritates the Hiranyakashyap, and he asks his sister Holika to enter in Fire with his son Prahlad in her lap because she is immune from the Fire. The Holika was burned in the Fire, and Prahlad was safe. This story is about God and his devotee.
The second story, which is famous in Mathura and its surrounding, is that lord Krishna applies colour on Radha and other gopis. This prank is known as Holi. The Other story is also associated with the lord Krishna, Pootna, who tries to kill Krishna by feeding poisoned milk to him.
From sociocultural and religious to biological sense, there is a reason why we celebrate the Holi festival.
Various stories associated with the holy make people realise the power of truth and the victory of God over evil forces. All these stories help people follow moral values and good conduct in life. It is very important in modern society. Holi helps people believe that truth always wins and honesty is essential to fight against evil.
Holi is celebrated as the end of the cold season and the start of the new spring season. People expect a good harvest in the upcoming year.
Holi has its biological significance because Holi comes when people have to feel sleepy and lazy. It is very natural for a human to experience tidiness and laziness due to the change in the weather from cold to heat. To counter this laziness, Pupils sing loudly and dance.
Besides, this colour has its importance. A biologist believes that liquid dies to enter the body through the pores. It boosts immunity and strengthens the human body, making it healthier.
Holi festival is considered the festival of love and the festival of colour. This festival indicates the invocation of the spring season. Holi also shows the unity of India because Hindus and Jain, Christians and Muslims celebrate it. People make dishes like Gujiya, Mathri, and Gulab Jamun in their homes. On the day of Holi, people visit family and friends, enjoy food and drink, and paint with each other.
