Holi is one of the most popular and pompous festivals in India, that is celebrated in March. It marks the arrival of a colourful spring as well as the victory of good over evil.
Water filled guns and dry colours are among the main elements responsible for making this festival so unique and enjoyable! Not to mention, the delectable specialities of this season, such as- gujiya, dahi vada, papdi chaat, kachori and various namkeen. A traditional drink enjoyed by people on Holi is called thandai.
The festival of Holi is associated with an infamous legend that involves a devil, arrogant and cruel king named Hiranyakashyap, his sister Holika and son Prahalad. It involves Hiranyakashyap, in his arrogance and anger of his own son being against him, taking the help of Holika to kill Prahlad. He was tricked into sitting on a burning pyre with Holika, who possessed a special power of not being burnt, but due to the purity in Prahalad, and the evil intentions in Holika, she was burnt to ashes while Prahalad walked out unscathed. Based on this legend, post sunset on the first day of Holi (Holika Dahan), people gather around a lit pyre, perform rituals (puja), put offerings in the fire and sing and dance around it. The burning pyre signifies eliminating all the negative traits and starting the next day with positivity and happiness. The next day is known as Badi Holi, where both, young and old endlessly play with colours and water guns.
In the preceding years, my friends and I eagerly looked forward to playing Holi. In the morning, we would throw colours and splash water on each other accompanied by dances and songs. By evening, we would go to each other’s house and exchange gifts and sweets, greeting each other for the festivities. Although this year, with the coronavirus pandemic, we may not be able to celebrate Holi like before, however, there are many innovative ways in which we may compensate for the same. We can still celebrate with our families in our homes, exchange wishes on the virtual platform, make organic colours and creative crafts, show-off our baking skills with multi-coloured cupcakes, plant vibrant flower-bearing trees and many more.
No matter what obstacles and problems interfere with the celebrations, this festival will always continue to fill our lives with the colours of happiness and joy. I wish everyone a happy and safe Holi!
Holi Celebrations
Very well articulated!