Bhubaneswar: Holi, one of the most vibrant festivals in India, is finally here. This year Holi will be celebrated in Odisha on March 8 (Wednesday). Also known as the festival of colours, Holi is one of the most significant festivals of Hindus, although it is celebrated by people of other faiths as well.
Holi is important to our lives in many ways. Ranging from socio-cultural, and religious to biological there is every reason why we must heartily enjoy the festival and cherish the reasons for its celebrations. People enjoy the festival fully participating with full enthusiasm in every small tradition related to the festival.
Some popular stories around the background of Holi are…
The legend of Holi involves an evil King named Hiranyakashyap who stopped his son Prahallad from worshipping Lord Vishnu. Prahallad was helped by Lord Vishnu and the former’s wicked aunt Holika was burnt to death. It signifies the victory of good over evil. It is believed that Holika pleaded with Prahallad for forgiveness before her death. Therefore, Prahallad announced that she would be remembered every year before Holi. This is why ‘Holika-dahan’ is celebrated across India, a day before Holi.
Holi also celebrates the legend of Radha and Krishna which describes the extreme delight, Krishna took in applying colour to Radha and other Gopis. This act of Krishna later became a trend and a part of the Holi festivities. Another legend of Holi which is extremely popular in Southern India is that of Lord Shiva and Kamadeva. People in south India celebrate the sacrifice of the Lord of Passion Kamadeva who risked his life to revoke Lord Shiva from meditation and save the world.
Celebration of the various legends associated with Holi reassures the people of the power of the truth as the moral of all these legends is the ultimate victory of good over evil. The legend of Hiranyakashyap and Prahlad also points to the fact that devotion to God pays off in form of good.
The legends help people to follow good conduct and live happily. This is extremely important in a modern-day society when people resort to unfair practices and are stressed with daily chores. Holi symbolizes the exuberance of life. It is a day of forgiveness, friendliness, oneness, and equality.
People also relish some lip-smacking sweets like Gujiya- a traditional sweet made on Holi and Thandai, which is a Holi-special drink made of milk. Some people also binge on some bhang, which is cannabis added to thandai, and it is intoxicating.
