Festivals of India: HOLI

For those who believe Indians are conservative, and boring in terms of outlook Holi provides a pleasant surprise. Even as the sobriety of the Lent is in progress in the Western World after the carnival celebrations to do with the Mardi Gras, the Indian sub-continent plays catch up by celebrating the arrival of spring with its own carnival and possibly, the start of activities to prepare the summer crop. Holi is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of March (Phalgun).

Legend has it that Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, was saved from a burning fire into which his father, the demon King Hira,nyakashyap had cast him with the help of Holika. Holika was burnt to ashes and to commemorate the victory of good over evil, people light a bonfire, called “Holika Dahan” on the eve of the Holi .

Another legend says that there was once an ogress Dhundhi, who used to trouble children in the kingdom of Prithu. She was chased away by children on the day of Holi. Yet others say, that Lord Krishna, when an infant, killed an ogress who tried to poison him while suckling him, on this day.

Elsewhere, it is believed that the God of Love, Kamadeva, was restored to life this day, at his consort, the Goddess of Sex, Ratidevi’s request, by Lord Shiva, after being burnt to death with his third eye. It is therefore seen as an occasion for romance and merry making. It is therefore common for lovers to frolic with their beloved in this festival by splashing colours and dancing to “hori” songs.

Another legend has it that a mischievous Lord Krishna applied colour on his beloved Radha, so that her fair complexion would not contrast with his dark skin. This has led to the practice of throwing coloured powders (gulal, abeer) and water on each other. Idols of Radha and Krishna are placed on a decorated palanquin and taken out in a procession in Bengal and is called Dol Yatra/ Dol Purnima. At Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana and Nandgaon, Holi is celebrated with vigour as these are places associated with Radha and Krishna. At Barsana, “Lathimaar Holi” involves men teasing women by singing mischievous songs. Women in turn, beat them with sticks in mock fashion, while men use shields to protect themselves. Dulandi Holi is observed in Haryana, where women use sticks on their younger brother in laws (devars) in mock fashion, for all the mischief they do.

Holi delicacies include gujia, malpuas, mathri, puran poli, among others. Thandai is a drink which is mixed with “bhang”(cannabis) and is drunk during the revelries.

Sikhs, display their physical strength and military prowess as they gather at Anandpur Sahib a day after Holi to celebrate Hola Mohalla. The tradition was started by the tenth and last guru of Sikh religion, Guru Gobind Singhji

Manipuris celebrate the festival for six continuous days. The highlight of the festival here is a dance, called 'Thabal Chongba'.

For more details, go to
http://www.holifestival.org/