Holi, Festival Of Colors
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Where is the Holi Festival of Colors celebrated?
Holi, the Festival of Colors, is mainly celebrated in India and neighboring countries like Nepal.
Who celebrates the Holi Festival of Colors?
Holi is one of the Hindu traditions, hence it is predominantly celebrated by people following the religion of Hinduism.
When did the Holi Festival of Colors start?
There are varied stories in the Hindu legends regarding the initiation of the celebration of Holi. One of them claims that Holi was initially celebrated when Narasimha, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, defeated the demon king, Hiranyakashipu, to save Prahlada, his devotee.
Another tale is that the Holi festival is to commemorate the love between Hindu God, Krishna, and his consort Radha.
Who started the Holi Festival of Colors?
It is unknown who started the Holi festival, but it's a communal festival, so it must have started as a festival celebrated by a community long ago.
History And Timeline
The Holi festival of color is celebrated in the month of Phalgun on a full moon day based on the Hindu calendar. The date usually falls in late February or March, and the festival commemorates the Hindu Gods Lord Vishnu, Lord Krishna, and his consort, Radha.
Mention Of Narasimha
In the Rigveda (early religious text in Hinduism), in the Vishnu hymn 1.154 is mention of a mountain roaming wild beast, which is often taken to be the earliest mention of the Narasimha legend.
1700-1200 BCEMention Of Holi
The famous poet Kalidasa mentioned the festival of Holi in his poem.
Fourth Century CEHoli Enters The Dictionary
Fascinated by the Holi festival, the word is introduced into the Oxford English Dictionary with various spellings like Houly, Hooly, and Huli.
17th Century CEStart Of Basanta Utsav
The Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, was fascinated by the Holi festival and started his version at his school Patha Bhavan and for people of the Ashram, situated in Santiniketan as a celebration of spring.
1920Release Of Silsila
With the release of the film Silsila, and the musical number Rang Barse, Bollywood became obsessed with Holi films and their grand celebration, the world of Holi transformed entirely.
1981Traditions And Customs
The traditions and customs of Holi start on the day before the festival. On the previous night, sticks and wood are gathered to light a bonfire, signifying the death of Holika.
Then, the next morning, there is usually a puja dedicated to Lord Krishna or Lord Vishnu, and then people start playing with colors. But, at first, the young typically put gulaal or abir on the feet of the elderly out of respect.
Ways To Observe Or Celebrate Holi Festival Of Colors
There are many ways to celebrate and observe Holi. On the day of Holi, Indian families usually gather together to have elaborate parties. You can celebrate it with your friends by playing with various colors. Children have a fun time chasing around each other and playing with water guns and water balloons.
Holi is an excellent time to try different Indian sweet dishes like gujiya, puran poli, or laddoos if you are into food. There is also an abundance of cool drinks made of milk and almond called thandai, refreshing on a sunny day.
Facts And Stats
- The festival of Holi is called Dol in the Indian state of West Bengal.
- There was a time when non-Hindus participated in Holi, especially during the Mughal era.
- Before the day of Holi, many people like to make a bonfire out of collected sticks and wood to commemorate the burning of the demon Holika. The morning after, it is known as Rangwali Holi.
- As you may know, traditionally, Holi was celebrated with colored powder and colored water. Still, many people have taken to playing with dried colorful flowers as it's safer for your skin.
- Festival of Colors: Holi NYC is a Holi event organized in New York City, New York.
What's the meaning behind the many colors of India's Holi festival?
The bright colors used during Holi symbolize the vitality of life and the presence of spring. Each color may also have its meaning, such as red, representing love and passion, yellow symbolizes learning and happiness, and green signifies the value of nature.
Do all countries celebrate Holi?
No, all countries don't celebrate Holi. It's a significant festival celebrated by the Hindus living in India. However, the increasing population of Indians in countries like the USA, the UK, and Canada, Holi has also increased globally.
How is Holi celebrated?
Holi is celebrated in different ways across India, but the unifying thread that binds the festival is playing with colored powder or water.
Why has Holi become popular outside India?
One of the reasons Holi has become popular outside India is the rise in immigration. However, another fundamental reason is tourism and the eagerness of foreigners to participate in a cultural phenomenon like Holi. Thousands of foreigners flock to Mathura and Vrindavan to participate in Holi every year.
What is special about Holi?
Holi is special because of the presence of beautiful colors. It's also the festival when friends and family come together to celebrate the onset of spring.
What happens during Holi?
Except for the regular worship or puja, the festival of Holi entails people enjoying playing with color among their family and friends. On Holi, people also enjoy different kinds of sweet dishes and drinks.
What is the significance of Holi?
Rather than having one significance, the festival of Holi is attached with many. However, we can accept it as a festival to commemorate spring and celebrate the win of good over evil.
When was the first Holi?
It is unknown exactly when the first Holi was celebrated. But, it's thought to have been after the incarnation of Vishnu, Narasimha Narayana won over Hiranyakashipu to save his devotee Prahlada.
When did Holi first begin?
It's said that Holi has been celebrated in India for a long time, and the proof of its existence is mentioned in a fourth-century CE written by the renowned poet Kalidasa.
What to do in Holi?
On Holi, you can join your friends to play with gulaal or abir, which is powder color, or also with water.
When Is This Day Celebrated
- Tuesday, March 10, 2020
- Monday, March 29, 2021
- Saturday, March 19, 2022
- Wednesday, March 08, 2023
- Monday, March 25, 2024
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