Holi 2023: Why is Holi celebrated and what are its mythology and beliefs.

Holi

Holi is a popular Hindu festival celebrated by Hindu communities in India and Nepal as well as in other parts of the world. Holi is also known as the “Festival of Colours”. Holi is usually celebrated in March after the full moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun.

The festival is celebrated by people applying colors and colored powders on each other and throwing water, singing and dancing, and sharing sweets and food. It is a time to forgive and forget, mend broken relationships and celebrate the victory of good over evil. The story behind Holi is the story of Prahlad, a young devotee of Lord Vishnu, and his evil aunt Holika, who tried to kill him. Prahlad survived because of his devotion and Holika was burnt to ashes, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.

Holi is also a time to celebrate the arrival of spring, and many people apply colored powder to each other’s faces and clothes, creating a vibrant and joyful atmosphere. The festival is also associated with the worship of Lord Krishna, and many devotees celebrate by chanting his name and participating in religious rituals. Overall, Holi is a joyous celebration of life, love and the victory of good over evil.

Holi is a widely recognized festival, especially in India and Nepal, where it is a national holiday. It is also celebrated with Hindu communities in other parts of the world, such as in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and other countries.

The festival has gained recognition beyond the Hindu community, and is celebrated by people of all religions and backgrounds. In recent years, Holi has become a popular cultural event in many countries, with people of different ethnicities coming together to celebrate the festival of colours.

Holi has been recognized by many organizations and institutions around the world. For example, in 2018, the United Nations celebrated Holi for the first time with the lighting of the UN Headquarters in New York in the colors of the Indian flag. Recognizing its importance as a festival of peace and harmony, UNESCO has also recognized Holi as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Holi has been recognized as a vibrant and joyous celebration of life, love and the victory of good over evil and is growing in popularity around the world.

Mythology behind Holi

The mythology behind Holi varies depending on the region and the community that celebrates it. However, there are many popular legends associated with the festival.

Story of Holika and Prahlad

One of the most famous stories is the legend of Holika and Prahlad. According to Hindu mythology, there once was a demon king named Hiranyakashipu, who was granted a boon that made him almost invincible. He became arrogant and began to persecute those who refused to worship him as a god. But, Prahlad he was the son of Hiranyakashipu and a devotee of Lord Vishnu refused to worship his father.

Enraged by his son’s disobedience, Hiranyakashipu conspired to kill him. He ordered his sister, Holika, who was immune to fire, to sit on the pyre with Prahlad in her arms. However, due to Prahlad’s pure devotion towards Vishnu, he was saved from the fire and Holika was consumed in him. This event is celebrated on the first day of Holi with a bonfire called Holika Dahan.

Story of Lord Krishna and Radha.

The story of Lord Krishna and Radha is a popular legend in Hindu mythology that is often associated with the festival of Holi. According to legend, Lord Krishna, who had dark blue skin, was jealous of Radha’s fair complexion. He complained about this to his mother Yashoda, and she advised him to paint Radha’s face to make her look like him.

So, one day, Lord Krishna along with his female friends went to Radha’s village and started playing Holi with her and other villagers. They applied color to Radha’s face and soon, everyone was playing and dancing together. This incident is said to be the beginning of the romantic relationship between Lord Krishna and Radha.

The story of Lord Krishna and Radha Rani is often seen as a symbol of the love between a devotee and their Lord. Lord Krishna is considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and Radha is seen as his most devoted follower. Their relationship is believed to represent the love and devotion that should exist between a devotee and their Lord.

In the context of the festival of Holi, the story of Lord Krishna and Radha is celebrated with the tradition of applying colored powder on each other’s faces and clothes. It is seen as a celebration of love, joy and the victory of good over evil.

Holi is a festival that signifies the victory of good over evil. It is a time for forgiveness, reconciliation and joyous celebration with family and friends.

King Prithu Holi Story

According to Hindu mythology, King Prithu was a great ruler who is associated with the festival of Holi. The story goes that during the reign of King Prithu, there was a severe drought for many years. Crops failed, and the people suffered from famine and starvation.

King Prithu, who was known for his wisdom and compassion, decided to perform a yajna (sacred fire ritual) to appease the gods and bring rain to his kingdom. He invited all the gods and goddesses to the yagya except Lord Indra, the god of rain whom he held responsible for the drought.

Enraged by King Prithu’s disrespect, Lord Indra incited a mighty storm, which threatened to destroy the yagya and the entire kingdom. However, King Prithu remained undeterred and prayed to Lord Vishnu for help.

Lord Vishnu appeared before him and advised him to make a paste from the flowers of Tesu tree (Butea monosperma) and apply it on Lord Indra’s face. King Prithu followed the advice and did as instructed, and Lord Indra was humbled and pacified. He apologized for his actions and promised to restore rains in the state.

Thus, the festival of Holi is also known as the festival of colours, as it is associated with the colorful flowers of the Tesu tree, which are used to make paste on people’s faces during the festivities. The festival is seen as a celebration of the victory of good over evil and the victory of love and unity over hatred and discord.

Story of King Prithu and demon named Dhundhi.

Yes, you are correct. According to some versions of Hindu mythology, during the time of King Prithu, there was a demon named Dhundhi who terrorized the kingdom. Dhundhi was a female demon who had the power to create chaos and destruction wherever she went. She was known to have a voracious appetite and would eat anything and everything in her path.

King Prithu tried various means to defeat Dhundhi, but none of them were successful. Finally, he sought the help of a group of young boys who had a reputation for being mischievous and fearless. These boys were known as the “Holi Boys”.

The Holi Boys devised a plan to defeat Dhundhi. They created a loud noise by beating drums, blowing conch shells, and making other loud sounds. This scared Dhundhi and caused her to flee the kingdom. The Holi Boys then chased her out of the kingdom, throwing colored powder and water at her as she ran.

This event is said to have given rise to the tradition of playing with colors during Holi. It is believed that the Holi Boys symbolize the forces of good, while Dhundhi represents evil. The victory of the Holi Boys over Dhundhi is seen as a triumph of good over evil.

Today, the festival of Holi is celebrated by people of all ages, and it is a time for joy, merriment, and the celebration of love and unity. The playing with colors during Holi is seen as a way of breaking down barriers and bringing people together, regardless of their differences.