Why is Holi celebrated? Know the importance of Holi festival
Why is Holi celebrated? Inspired by Hindu traditions, Holi is one of the most important festivals after Diwali. It lasts for two days in some places, starting with Holika Dahan, which symbolizes the victory of good over evil. It is a day of merriment and playing with colours and promoting harmony. Holi Festival or the Festival of Colours is a fascinating cultural and religious celebration that involves much more than just playing with colours. In this article, you will get a glimpse of when Holi is and the religious traditions behind this celebration and also tell you how Holi started being celebrated.
Why Holi is celebrated ?
Throughout the Braj region, including Mathura, Vrindavan and other holy sites, Holi is celebrated with devotion and gaiety. Major celebrations include the Phoolwali Holi of Vrindavan and the Lathmar Holi of Barsana. The celebrations last for two days, beginning with the burning of Holika which symbolizes the end of evil. Holi is also known as Dhulendi in some places.
Holi, one of the biggest festivals of India, is a joyous festival representing the spring season with colours, merriment, and many other things. Every year we celebrate this day to celebrate the victory of good over evil, which falls in the month of Phalguna in early March. Although Holi is an ancient Hindu festival but it is celebrated almost all over the world. This year the festival of colours will be celebrated on 14 Mar, 2025, Monday.
Holi is a Hindu festival that has been celebrated since ancient times. The festival of Holi is celebrated as a way to welcome the spring season and is also seen as a new beginning. It is said that people enjoy applying colors to each other during the Holi festival. On the first day of the festival, a bonfire is lit to symbolically burn all evils and usher in a colorful and new future.you also read this Why is Mahashivratri celebrated?
During the Holi festival, people throw many colors at each other. In religious terms, these colours are rich in symbolism and have many meanings. For some people, Holi means cleansing oneself of evils and demons.
Holi resonates with stories of the victory of virtue over evil. One such legend revolves around the sweet bond between Lord Krishna and Radha, symbolizing unity amid diversity. According to this mythological story, Lord Krishna, in his mischievous spirit, playfully smeared color on Radha Rani’s face, thus beginning the tradition of Holi.
A legend connects Holi with the story of King Hiranyakashipu, his devoted son Prahlad, and the evil Holika. Prahlad’s unwavering devotion to Lord Vishnu angered his father, causing Holika to hatch a treacherous plan. However, divine intervention thwarted the evil, leading to the beginning of Holika Dahan and the enduring celebration of the victory of good over darkness.you also read this What happens by applying alta on feet?
What is the story behind Holi?
In Hinduism, the victory of good over evil is told in the story of Hiranyakashipu. According to the legend, Hiranyakashipu was an ancient king who claimed to be immortal and demanded to be worshiped as God. His son Prahlad was highly devoted to worshiping Lord Vishnu, so Hiranyakashipu was angry that his son worshiped this god instead of him. Angered by this, Hiranyakashipu used to torture his son Prahlad. One day Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of a half lion and a half man and killed Hiranyakashipu. In this way, good triumphed over evil.
Another mythological story associated with the Holi festival is related to Radha and Krishna. As the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Shri Krishna is seen by many as the supreme God. It is said that Krishna was blue in color because, according to legend, he drank the poisonous milk of a demon when he was an infant. Krishna fell in love with Goddess Radha, but he was afraid that Radha would not love him after seeing his blue color, but Radha allowed Krishna to color her skin with color, making them a true couple. On Holi, people apply colors to each other in honor of Krishna and Radha.
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