Celebrating Holi: The Festival of Colors and Its Significance

The festival of Holi is a traditional Indian (Hindu) celebration seen as a way to welcome the new season of spring. It is also seen as a new beginning where people can release all of their negativity and inhibitions against each other and other problems and start anew. It’s said that supposedly during the time of Holi, the gods turn a blind eye, allowing even the most devout of Hindus to let loose and party! They allow each other to enjoy one another’s company, take time to cook lots of delicious treats, dance and sing, and turn away from their traditional and cultural norms for some time. At the festival, people throw colored powdered dye into the air, which covers everyone who participates in bright colors. This year, the festival is celebrated on March 8, but celebrations can last for days or even weeks after!

THE HISTORY OF HOLI

The origins of Holi are traced back to the texts and mythology of Hinduism. The most well-known and popular legend that goes with the festival of Holi is associated with the story of Prahlada and Hiranyakashipu. As the legend goes, Prahlada was a devotee of Lord Vishnu, but his father, Hiranyakashipu, did not believe in any god, as he was a demon king. He had tried to kill his son many times, but Prahlada was always protected by Lord Vishnu. Finally, Hiranyakashipu’s sister Holika had a magical cloak that gave her immunity to fire, and she tricked Prahlada into sitting on her lap as she was in a bonfire, but immediately, the cloak flew onto Prahlada, protecting him. This is one reason why Holi is also known as the festival of bonfires. There is another popular legend surrounding the holiday, which originates from the story of Lord Krishna and Radha. In this legend, Lord Krishna complained to his mother about the differences in skin color between his love Radha, and him. His mother cheekily suggested that he paint Radha’s face with colors, as Lord Krishna did. The act of coloring each other’s faces with these colorful powders is said to be yet another origin of the Holi tradition.

HOW IS HOLI CELEBRATED

Holi is celebrated differently in different parts of the world, but some of the most common practices include playing with colors, which is what most people associate with the festival of Holi. People smear each other with colored powders and then use pichkaris (or small water guns) and water balloons to clean each other off after throwing colors. The night before Holi, people also light bonfires to symbolize the victory of good versus evil, which is known as Holika Dahan. People also sing songs and dance to traditional folk songs or Bollywood music during the celebration! 

MORE FUN FACTS ABOUT HOLI

1. Holi is known as the “Festival of Spring.”
2. Holi is celebrated by people of different religions/cultures in India and in other parts of the world (such as the US, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) where there is an Indian diaspora present. It’s also a way to promote unity and togetherness. 
3. The festival is celebrated for two days. The first day is known as Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi, and the second day is known as Rangwali Holi.
4. The city of Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is known as the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Mathura is known for its beautiful and grand Holi celebrations.
5. During Holi, neighbors often make or buy sweets to share with each other. Some of these sweets are called gujiya, mathri, and thandai.
6. The colorful powders used during Holi celebrations were traditionally made from natural ingredients, such as turmeric, neem, and different flowers that provided strong hues. Today, they can be made with synthetic colors, which are more damaging to sensitive skin than traditional ingredients.