Spring flowers and the fading winter months bring out the spirit of Holi. The festival of colours signifies enjoyment and togetherness. People join their loved ones and play with diverse hues while dancing to the beat of traditional music. The popularity of Holi attracts tourists from across the world to participate in the festivities.
But take a pause and think - why is Holi celebrated? If you look beyond the fun and colours, you will realise that Holi is rooted in mythology. It represents the triumph of good elements over evil forces and is also symbolic of Lord Krishna’s mischievous and playful nature.
This article aims to explain the reason behind why we celebrate Holi, and its cultural significance. So, go through it and find out how Holi is more than just fun and games.
The Mythological Origins of Holi You Must Know
Holi is India’s beloved festival with its origins embedded in mythology. While you may think of it as a day of colours and enjoyment, it tells a story of love, devotion, and triumph. Here are some of the stories that explain why was Holi celebrated in the first place:
● The Legend of Prahlad and Holika
This is the most popular myth associated with Holi. Hrinyakashyapu, a demon king, asked Lord Brahma for a boon of invincibility (or so he was convinced). He started assuming that he was God and asked people to offer their prayers. But his son Prahlad was extremely devoted to Lord Vishnu. This irritated the demon, and he decided to kill his son. Even though he tried numerous methods, Prahlad was always rescued by God.
Hiranyapashyapu’s sister Holika could not be burned by fire. So, he asked her to take Prahlad and sit on a pyre. However, Holika perished in the blaze while Prahlad remained unharmed.
Thus, the evening prior to Holi is celebrated as Holika Dahan. Large bonfires are lit that signify the burning of evil and protection of righteousness. The next day is then celebrated with colours that mark new beginnings and happiness.
● The Story of Radha and Krishna
Another tale about why is the festival of Holi celebrated that talks about the divine love of Radha and Lord Krishna. Krishna, a mischievous cowherd, was taken over by Radha. Unhappy with his dark skin, he was worried if fair Radha would love him back. He shared his concern with his mother, Yashoda, who then playfully suggested that he should put colour on Radha to make them look alike.
Krishna took this advice seriously and, with his friends, applied vibrant colours to Radha and her companions. It is believed that she instantly fell in love with him. This marked the beginning of a relationship that is still worshipped all over the country. It also laid the foundation for the festival of colours, making it a symbol of love, friendship, and joy.
● The Tale of Lord Shiva and Kamadeva
Kamadeva - God of Love, shot arrows towards Lord Shiva when he was in meditation. This angered the Lord, who opened his third eye and burnt Kamadeva to ashes. But he was touched by the sorrow of Rati for her husband's loss. He brought Kamadeva back to life in his spiritual form, forgiving him for his wrongdoing. This happened on the day of Holi and is one more reason why we celebrate Holi festival. This makes it an ideal occasion to celebrate devotion and forgiveness.
Understanding the Cultural and Social Significance of Holi
Holi celebrates life and unity. The cultural and social significance of this festival ensures that people across the country look forward to this day. Let us take a look at Holi significance:
● Triumph of Good Over Evil
On Holi, you celebrate various mythological legends and stories that reassure you of the power of truth and goodness. Every tale symbolises that love, devotion, and righteousness win while negativity and evil must be destroyed. Hence, this festival of colours motivates you to personal reflection, let go of bad thoughts, and approach life with new energy.
● Strengthening Social Bonds
In the earlier days, the rigid caste system did not allow people to mingle with each other. It is believed that with the popularity of Holi celebrations, these barriers were slowly but steadily broken. Hence, it is said that this festival does not discriminate and brings everyone together to have fun. In fact, the popular saying, “Bura na mano, Holi hai!” indicates letting go of anger and grievances and enjoying the day with everyone.
● Positive Effect on Body
While the festival of colours is all about fun and enjoyment, there is another reason why we are celebrating Holi festival. According to the ancient scriptures, Holi marks a time when our body becomes a bit lazy due to fluctuations in temperature. Hence, our forefathers came up with a celebration that would push people out of their homes, urging them to sing and dance. This has a positive effect on their energy levels, rejuvenating their body and minds.
● The Arrival of Spring
The Holi festival importance relates to seasonal change, too. It marks the end of winter and the arrival of spring. The flowers start blooming, and the days become longer. Holi is also a harvest festival since it occurs during the cutting of Rabi crops. On this day, farmers express their gratitude to the almighty for a successful harvest.
● A Colourful Symbolism
The most significant aspect of Holi is the generous use of colours that actually hold deep meaning. Every hue represents a different emotion. Red is symbolic of love, while blue represents divinity. Yellow signifies happiness, and green indicates new beginnings. The act of throwing colours represents letting go of negativity and embracing joy. Also, applying them to family and friends creates a playful atmosphere, ideal for laughing and playing without any distinctions.
Unique Variations of Holi across the Indian Landscape
India’s cultural diversity has added a unique twist to the Holi celebrations. While it remains a festival of colours, music, and delicious food, it takes a different form in various states. Here’s how Holi is celebrated in various parts of the country:
● Lathmar Holi - Uttar Pradesh
A very unusual form of Holi, it is celebrated in Barsana and Nandgaon in UP. As the name indicates, women playfully beat men with sticks called lathi, and the men have to shield themselves. It is believed that this practice is inspired by a story where Lord Krishna followed Radha to Barsana to tease her and her friends. The women are said to have chased him away with sticks. This celebration is a unique spectacle filled with laughter.
● Phoolon Ki Holi - Vrindavan
Banke Bihari Temple, with Krishna as the reigning deity uses flowers for celebrating Holi instead of the usual powders. Millions of people join this event from various countries as it occurs several days ahead of Holi celebrations.
● Shimga or Rang Panchami - Maharashtra
Maharashtra celebrates the festival of Holi as Shimga and Rang Panchami. The day before Holi people conduct Holika Dahan by setting a large bonfire that symbolises the destruction of evil. The festivities start with procession parades followed by applying of dry and wet colours. Holi festivities extend throughout the week in certain regions.
● Hola Mohalla - Punjab
Punjab celebrates Holi as Hola Mohalla. It is celebrated after Holi to honour Sikh soldiers, especially Nihang Sikhs. The special event showcases military skills of martial arts before moving on to musical and dance performances.
● Dol Jatra - West Bengal
In West Bengal, Holi is called Dol Purnima, during which Lord Krishna is worshipped. Processions carrying the Radha and Krishna idols in beautifully decked palanquins are organised. The devotees apply colours while singing bhajans and dancing as an act of spiritual love.
● Manjal Kuli - Kerala
Kerala gives Holi a unique twist, celebrating it as Manjal Kuli. Popular among the Konkani and Kudumbi communities, turmeric (manjal) water is used instead of the usual colours. People gather at temples or their ancestral homes, sing folk songs, and throw turmeric water on each other.
● Shigmo - Goa
The party hub of India celebrates Holi with great fervour. You can see a carnival-like environment here during the season with colourful parades, folk dances, and shows. It celebrates the Goan warriors and farmers, and the celebrations continue for a few days. Shigmo is one of the most anticipated spring festivals and a favourite among locals and tourists.
Know the Folk Music and Dance Forms Associated with Holi
As you go deeper into why celebrate Holi festival and learn about its various forms, did you observe that dance and music are crucial to the celebration? So, let us see what are some of the popular dances and music forms that depict the real spirit of Holi:
● Hori and Chaiti Songs
In Northern India, Hori and Chaiti songs are an integral part of Holi celebrations. These folk songs signify the love of Radha and Krishna and are tuned with lively beats. These also have a classical Hindustani version that classical singers perform during Holi concerts.
● Ras-Leela and Dandiya
The Holi celebrations in Mathura and Vrindavan feature Ras-Leela performances. This is a dramatised dance that depicts the divine love between Krishna and Radha. In Gujarat, Dandiya Raas is a popular dance form performed during Holi. The participants dance in pairs with colourful sticks, moving in rhythm to foot-tapping music.
Savour Holi with Iconic Dishes and Drinks
In India, festivals are incomplete without some mouth-watering delights. Holi is no different. While the usual sweets are always around, some iconic Indian mithais and drinks are only found during this time. These include:
● Delectable Sweets
Gujiya, a deep-fried pastry filled with khoya and nuts, is a North Indian dish that is a staple at every Holi celebration. Piping hot, juicy malpua from Rajasthan with sinful rabadi is another soul-satisfying dish. In Maharashtra, roti filled with puran (a mixture of chana dal, nuts, and jaggery) is the perfect Holi sweet. Gujarat, on the other hand, is known for serving chaklis during Holi.
● Thandai
As the Holi festivities start in the morning and may stretch to late noon, thandai comes to rescue you from getting parched. A spiced milk flavoured with saffron, almonds, and rose petals, it is an iconic Holi beverage.
21st Century Holi: Celebration in the Digital Age
With India making a mark globally and Indians having moved to international shores, Holi has become a renowned festival across the world. Not only Indians but even foreigners enjoy celebrating this festival.
● Holi Beyond India
You can find Indians anywhere in the world. As they crossed seas in search of better opportunities, they carried the tradition and culture in their heart. Hence, Holi is celebrated in countries like the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, etc. In fact, thanks to these NRIs, people from different countries now flock to India during the Holi season to enjoy the festivities here.
● Discover Holi in Popular Culture
The Indian cinema scene has not remained untouched by Holi. On the contrary, songs from various Hindi movies are on the playlist during Holi celebrations. Inspired by the movies, now you can see people throwing elaborate Holi-themed parties to further enjoy the festival. Many leading brands and businesses organise events during Holi and invite influencers as a marketing strategy while also promoting fun.
How to Enjoy Holi the Right Way
There is no denying that Holi is a festival to revel and have a good time. But you must ensure that the festivities are fun and safe for all. Abide by these rules to make Holi a memorable day for everyone:
● Use Organic Colours
The conventional colours that are traditionally used may contain chemicals and artificial colourants that can cause allergic reactions in some people. Hence, opt for organic colours made from flowers and herbs.
● Respect Personal Boundaries
While the slogan “bura na mano holi hai” is coined for a reason, this does not give you the right to force anyone to play. So, before applying colour, ask permission. Not everyone likes to play Holi the conventional way.
● Protect Yourself
Before going out to play Holi, make sure to oil your hair and skin. This prevents the colour from sticking to your strands and body. Apply sunscreen and wear long-sleeved clothes to protect your skin.
Conclusion
Your questions about why Holi is celebrated must now have been solved with this new found knowledge. With its roots in mythology, ancient tradition, and culture, this transcends from being a mere celebration to a festival with deep significance. So, when others ask about Holi, you will be able to provide them with an extensive explanation about this festival.
FAQs
How long do Holi celebrations last?
Holi celebrations are usually carried out in two days. It begins with Holika Dahan on the first day, which is also called “Choti Holi”, and the second day, which is “Badi Holi,” involves playing with colours. In selected areas of the country, the celebrations may extend across multiple days.
What are some eco-friendly ways to play Holi?
Select organic colours derived from flowers and herbs. Save water and stick to playing with dry powders. Celebrate within a specific designated space to simplify the cleaning process.
How is Holi celebrated in workplaces?
In corporate sectors, many companies organise a Holi party a few days prior to the actual festival. This involves dressing up in traditional attire, a special lunch, team-building activities, and applying colours.