Holi 2017 - The Festival of Colors

Holi in 2017 will be celebrated on the 13th of March. It is the most vibrant, colourful and joyous festival of Hindu culture. The fact that it is the first major Hindu festival that is celebrated after the onset of the new year is probably the strongest reason for the exuberance and ardour that it bears. Holi signifies the triumph of good over evil and reminds us to follow the path of righteousness and virtue over wrongdoings and irreverence.

Significance

The festival of Holi bears a peculiar undertone of joy. Following is the significance of this festival from different perspectives.

Mythological Significance: Holi is backed up by numerous lores and mythological tales. Though, the essence of these tales remain the same, these mythological fables are the reason for the most common yet the foundational belief of the Hindu culture of the triumph of good over evil.

The most popular legend associated with the festival of Holi is that of the demon king Hiranyakashyap and his son prince Prahlad. The legend unfolds to talk about how Prahlad's’ life was saved, by his devotion and unshakable belief in Lord Vishnu from his aunt demoness Holika. On the orders of King Hiranyakashyap, demoness Holika sat on a pyre with prince Prahlad in her lap as she had a boon to her name of never getting harmed by fire. But prince Prahlads’ utmost adoration towards Lord Vishnu guarded him against the fire and saved his life. Since generations, this legend has sent across the message of victory of righteousness over wrongdoings.

As per scriptures, Holi is also celebrated to bring to notice the death of demoness Pootna who wanted to kill Lord Krishna when he was just an infant. Demoness Pootna was sent by King Kansa who was the maternal uncle of Lord Krishna. King Kansa wanted to kill Lord Krishna as he was scared to lose his kingdom and life to him.

Cultural Significance: The festival of Holi has a very prominent cultural connotation attached to itself. This festival reassures our faith in truth and righteousness, every year. We are reminded of the fact that no matter how widespread and powerful immorality might be, it will always be won over by justice and morality.

The legends associated with any festival or celebration teach us to lead a morally correct and just life. By these festivals, we are constantly prodded to judge our actions and keep from immoral practices. The festival of Holi urges people to believe in truth and the fact that evil can never win.

Further, Holi is celebrated during the spring season when nature intends to bloom again after a long and harsh winter period. Also, this is usually the period of a new harvest. This becomes a reason good enough to celebrate and have fun under the cloak of Holi.

Social Significance: Holi is not only a religious celebration but also boosts the goodwill and brotherhood that we share with the those around us. We celebrate the fraternity and secularism that is one of the core characteristics of our nation. Though Holi is a Hindu festival, it is celebrated with much ardor amongst different religious groups.

Also, Holi erases the distinction of rich and poor in the society for it is celebrated by people belonging to different segments of society in togetherness. Discrimination of all sorts fades away on this particular day, as people come together to express the love and fondness that they bear for each other.

Holi evenings are usually spent while exchanging gifts with our relatives and loved ones. This gives everyone a chance to visit their dear ones and reunite for a nostalgic playback over tea and gujiya.

Biological Significance: The scientific importance of Holi is a lesser known one. The festival of Holi arrives in the spring season which is a period of change in the weather and atmosphere. It is very normal for one to feel lethargic and sleepy during this period. The frolic and fervor of this festival tends to awaken us and prepare us for the upcoming heat of the summers. The loud music and mind boggling physical activity on this festival stimulates the energy and freshness in us.

Furthermore, it is scientifically believed that the Abeer that is used to celebrate Holi penetrates into our body through the pores and boosts our physical strength and immune system. Abeer is also known to have beauty benefits.

Many traditions, such as the Holika Dahan and the way this festival is celebrated in the southern part of the country, promotes good health and immunity against many diseases and infections. For example, in Southern India after the burning of the Holika pyre, ashes are collected and smeared on the forehead. This is believed to immune one against skin infections and seasonal illnesses. Also, the tradition of eating sandalwood paste mixed with tender leaves and flowers of a Mango tree around Holi period is followed with devotion.

The most important and the most overlooked significance of Holi is that it promotes cleanliness. People clean their houses and the surroundings for the grand celebration which urges them to give a thorough clean to their vicinity.

Legend

Holi has many regional legends associated with it. Following the tradition, Holi 2017 will also be celebrated in the same manner as it has been from years. The most known legends are as follows:

Legend of Holika: Having very close associations with the festival of colours, the legend of Holika is the most widely known. Holika Dahan is celebrated an evening prior to the festival of Holi, wherein a holy pyre is burnt to reflect the burning of the demoness Holika. According to the legend, the demoness Holika was ordered by her brother and the demon king Hiranyakashyap to kill his son Prahlad. As Holika was immune to getting burnt, she took the prince in her lap and sat in fire. Prince prahlad was saved as he was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu and in turn Holika got burnt in that pyre. Holika Dahan is symbolic of the triumph of good over evil and is celebrated with much fervor to keep up the tradition.

Legend of Radha-Krishna: The legend of Radha and Krishna gives the festival of Holi a very subtle undertone of love. As per the legend, Lord Krishna was born with a dark complexion whereas his beloved Radha was a fair-complexioned girl. Krishna always used to envy Radha for this reason. One day, out of mischief, Krishna put colour on Radhas’ face just to cover her fair skin. Since then, putting colours on each other has become a denotation of love and affection. On the day of Holi, lovers long to drench each other in colour and express their love.

Celebrations

Holi Festival, also known as the Basant Utsav in rural parts of our country is the first major festival to be celebrated as we gain-on through the new year. The much awaited festival of Holi is celebrated with much ardour and is the ultimate way to forget old enmities and reunite in brotherhood. Colours, also known as Gulaal, pichkaris and water balloons are the things not to be missed during this festival. Much thinking and planning goes into getting your favourite people thoroughly drenched in colour on this day. Also, the bet is always on who will be the first one to soak others in colour. The core of this battle of gulal and pichkaris continues to remain the celebration of love and kinship with everyone.

For those who have a sweet tooth, Gujiyas and Balu Shahis are your treat for the day. Temples and households are decorated colourfully to denote the essence of this day. As the festival of Holi has associations with Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha, hence they are worshipped to acknowledge the playful and lovely undertone that this festival bears. The idol of Goddess Radha is put on a swing and devotees take turns to nudge the swing while singing the devotional Holi specials. Sometimes, people also indulge in a little play to reflect the crux of Holi.

The festival of Holi is synonymous with colours, frolic and bhaang. The day marks a socio-cultural backing for everyone to drink and have fun to their hearts’ content. A splendid and an almost ferocious festival which is a feast to the yes and the soul is what Holi is about.

Eco- friendly Holi 2017

Holi Festival celebrations are always extravagant and utterly luxurious. Everyone makes it a point to make the most of this festival. But will being engaged in the festivities we must not turn a blind eye to what we owe to the environment. Festivals are best enjoyed without the guilt of harming mother nature and ourselves. Consider the following to-dos to enjoy an unhindered Holi 2017.

Use natural colours - Holi is best enjoyed with natural colours. You can prepare your own colours by using natural ingredients which would not only be safe to use but would give an added advantage of a beautiful skin. During the Holi 2017, take a vow to say no to fabricated colours and use natural ones made of ingredients that can easily be found in ones’ kitchen such as turmeric, sandalwood and henna. Also, this wouldn’t be heavy on your pocket as well.

Avoid using plastics and balloons - Plastics and balloons are not only harmful to the environment but can also cause external injury. Abstain from the usage of balloons and plastics and enjoy a safe and mirthful Holi.

Holi, the dry way - A wet Holi means a lot of water wastage. Try celebrating Holi 2017 the dry way while making your contribution towards the environment. Use of water not only harms the environment but also make the place murky.

Flowers are always a hit - Flowers are not only a symbol of love and affection but also a way to show exuberance. Bring your favourite flowers to use this Holi and add a hint of extravagance to your celebration. Also, keep in mind to not dump them anywhere else but in the bin.

Environment-friendly Holi bonfire - Holi bonfire, which is done an evening prior to the festival of colours, is an age-old tradition. Let's go the old way and burn environment-friendly goods such as cow dung cakes and kitchen waste and do our bit for a cleaner and pollution-free environment.

Crank up a notch, the indulgence this Holi!

Skin care tips

• Go for the darker shades while choosing your attire for the celebration so as to make the laundry easy.
• Drenching your hair in coconut oil might seem like a good idea when gearing up for Holi as this would avoid colours and harmful chemicals from latching on to your hair. You can also upturn your style-quotient by adding a cap or a bandana to you attire.
• A darker nail paint would save your nails from being colour-stained.
• Save your skin by applying a sunscreen and a heavy moisturiser, generously. You will appear in a single tone the next day!
• A pre-bath scrub would help you take off the colours which would otherwise take a lot longer. Prepare a mixture of gram flour, cream and lemon and rub all over. Oils such as that of jojoba and coconut can be used to take off the colours from your hair. Later, take a relaxing bath to clean everything up.

We hope that these tips would make your celebrations less back-breaking and more enjoyable, throughout. Do take out time to be thankful for all those who went an extra mile to make this festival worthwhile for you!

We at MyKundali, wish you a very Happy Holi! Let us come together and celebrate our culture while watching over mother nature!