Holi, the festival of colours, is also known as the festival of love and togetherness. It is a time when people set aside differences and come together in a spirit of joy and harmony.
The celebrations are marked by smearing vibrant colours on family and friends, creating a lively and cheerful atmosphere. The excitement reaches its peak among friends and siblings, where playful splashes of colour, water balloons, and laughter-filled moments make the occasion truly unforgettable.
Story of Holi
Holi is not just a festival of colours; it symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. Celebrated over two days, it begins with Chhoti Holi or Holika Dahan, followed by the grand celebration of colours the next day.
Boon of Brahma
As per legend, there lived a demon named Hiranyakashipu. He prayed for many years and received a special boon from Lord Brahma.
As always, his first wish was to be immortal but that was not possible, so he asked something else, something that would eventualy make him immortal.
No man or animal could harm him, no weapon could kill him, and he could not die during the day or night, inside or outside, on land, water, or in the air.
Thinking as if he has become immortal, he started showing his brutality and forced people to worship him and killed those who were worshipping Lord Vishnu or other Gods.
A Father’s Wrath and a Son’s Unshakable Faith
He was happy with his tyranny until he came to know about his son Prahlada.
Prahlada, refused to obey him. Prahlada was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu and kept praying to him. This made Hiranyakashipu very angry. So, he forced him to stop worhipping Lord Vishnu, but the boy refused. Therefore there was just only one way to solve this, kill the child.
This should be an easy task afterall, killing a child.
He ordered his guards to throw Prahlada off a cliff, but Vishnu saved him. He was trampled by elephants, thrown into the sea, and even given poison, but nothing could harm him. Finally, the king asked his sister, Holika, to help.
Holika, Prahlada’s aunt, asked Prahlad to sit on a pyre with her. With the boon from Brahma Holika was immune to fire. But the trick misfired as she misused the boon and as a result, Holika got burned in the fire and died. In other versions, it is also said that Holika was wearing a fire-resistant robe.
But Hiranyakashipu was still furious. He asked Prahlada, “If your Vishnu is everywhere, is he in this pillar?” Prahlada nodded. In anger, Hiranyakashipu smashed the pillar with his mace.
Suddenly, Lord Vishnu appeared from it in a strange form, not man, nor animal, but as a half-man, half-lion. This form was called Narasimha.
It was evening then, not day or night. Narasimha took Hiranyakashipu to the doorstep, not inside or outside. He placed him on his lap, not on land, water, or air. Using his sharp claws, not a weapon. Narasimha killed the demon king. In this way, Vishnu’s clever plan broke the boon and destroyed the evil king.
The Joyous Celebration of Colours
People celebrate Holi every year to remember that faith and truth always triumph over evil. The bonfire of Holika Dahan symbolizes the burning away of negativity, while the vibrant colours of Holi spread happiness, love, and togetherness.
The real celebration begins the next day. The air fills with excitement as people step out with packets of gulal and buckets of coloured water. Friends and families joyfully smear each other with colours, while children gleefully spray coloured water on passers-by. Laughter echoes in the streets as everyone, young and old, joins in the fun.
As the day winds down, the celebrations continue in the evening. People gather with loved ones, relishing delicious sweets like gujiya and malpua along with festive treats. Music, dance, and heartfelt conversations make Holi a festival of pure joy, love, and togetherness.
Holi Across India: A Festival of Many Colors and Traditions
India, a land of diverse cultures, celebrates Holi in many unique ways. Each region has its own traditions, making the festival even more vibrant and special.
Lathmar Holi – The Playful Battle of Barsana
One of the most famous Holi celebrations takes place in Barsana, the birthplace of Radha. Here, the festival is known as Lathmar Holi, where men from Nandgaon; Lord Krishna’s village visit Barsana and are greeted with playful blows from bamboo sticks (lath) by the women.
The men, carrying shields, try to protect themselves while teasing the women in a friendly manner. This tradition recreates the legendary tales of Krishna and Radha, adding a fun and unique twist to the celebrations.
Mathura and Vrindavan – The Land of Krishna Comes Alive
In Mathura and Vrindavan, Holi is more than just a one-day festival. The celebrations start a week in advance, with the temples of Krishna adorned with flowers and colours. Devotees gather to sing devotional songs, perform rituals, and play with gulal (coloured powder).
The Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan and Dwarkadhish Temple in Mathura become the heart of the celebrations, attracting thousands of visitors every year.
Shantiniketan – A Cultural Holi Celebration
In Shantiniketan, Bolpur, Holi is celebrated as Basanta Utsav, a tradition started by Rabindranath Tagore. Here, the festival is marked by a celebration of art, music, and dance.
Students and artisans dress in yellow attire, sing Tagore’s songs, and perform traditional dance forms, making the occasion more about culture and creativity than just playing with colours.
The ritual of Dol Jatra also takes place, where idols of Radha and Krishna are placed on swings, worshipped, and carried around in a grand procession.
Kumaoni Holi – A Celebration of Music and Tradition
Holi in Kumaon is more about melodies than colours. The festival is celebrated through Baithaki Holi, Khari Holi, and Mahila Holi, where people gather to sing traditional ragas and folk songs. Unlike the usual Holi revelry, it is a cultural and spiritual affair, deeply rooted in community bonding and heritage.
People dress in traditional white attire, move in processions, and sing Holi Geet, creating a joyful yet peaceful celebration. The festival is a beautiful blend of music, devotion, and togetherness, making it one of the most soulful Holi celebrations in India.
Modern Holi Celebrations in Cities
While traditional Holi is still widely celebrated, modern urban Holi has taken a different turn. Many organizers host Holi parties with DJs, live artists, and food stalls, creating a festival-like atmosphere in cities. These events offer a mix of music, dance, rain showers, organic colours, and even themed parties to make Holi an unforgettable experience.
Holi, in every corner of India, brings people together in its own special way. Whether it’s the playful Lathmar Holi of Barsana, the spiritual colours of Mathura and Vrindavan, the artistic charm of Shantiniketan, or the grand urban parties, the spirit of Holi remains the same—spreading joy, love, and togetherness.
And in cities, nowadays many organizers organize holiday party with DJs, artists and food.
Conclusion
Holi is a festival of colours, fun, and joy, but times have changed. With many cities facing water shortages, celebrating a dry Holi can be a responsible choice. To protect your skin, applying moisturizer beforehand helps prevent colours from sticking, and oiling your hair makes it easier to wash off the powder. While herbal colours are a safer option, they can be a bit expensive.
No matter how you celebrate, the spirit of Holi remains the same—spreading happiness, togetherness, and festive cheer.
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holi
- https://www.ndtv.com/food/holi-2018-heres-how-holi-is-celebrated-across-different-regions-in-the-country-1818171
- https://www.makemytrip.com/blog/the-colours-of-india-this-holi
