Early March on the Gregorian calendar is the Hindu month of ‘Phalguna’. During this time the Holi Festival of Colors takes place. The Holi festival of colors is the Indian celebration of the victory of good over evil and the destruction of the demoness and Hindu god ‘Holika’.
Some foreign tourists refer to it as the Holi cow festival, but this is merely one of the Hindu traditions that forms part of the traditional Holi celebrations. There are various spins to Holi parties throughout South India and the rest of the world. In fact, this Indian festival is one of the most globalized and colorful festival events in the world.
Our blog post will look at the history of the Holi Festival as well as various Hindu traditions they still use in celebrating Holi across the Indian subcontinent.
Enjoy the ancient tradition of Holi festivals and the fascinating religious rituals of Moon Day with Day Translations.
The History of Holi Festival
Holi is a Hindu festival celebrated all over India. Known as the Festival of Colors, it also goes by being called the ‘Festival of Love’ or the ‘Festival of Spring’. Originally, the Holi festival was an agricultural festival welcoming the arrival of spring. Legend has it that the evil king ‘Hiranyakashipu’ believed he was god and demanded that everyone worship him only. His son Prahlad did not agree with him and decided to worship and offer prayers to Vishnu the god of preservation.
Prahlad’s actions infuriated Hiranyakashipu. To retaliate, Hiranyakashipu subjected his own son to a series of terrible punishments. These punishments did not affect Prahlad or deter him from doing what he believed was right. Then came along Holika, Prahlad’s evil aunt who tricked him into sitting with her on a pyre. At that time Holika was wearing a cloak that made her immune to any injuries from the fire. As Prahlad and Holika sat in the fire the cloak flew from Holika onto Prahlad allowing him to survive as Holika burned.
Meanwhile, Vishnu appeared in the form of Narasimha (a half-human, half-lion) and killed the evil king Hiranyakashipu with his lion claws.
From then until now, Holi festival is the celebration of the symbolic victory of good over evil as Prahlada defeated his evil father Hiranyakashipu, and the burning of Holika.
How They Celebrate Holi in Modern Times
Whenever it’s the season for Holi festival, the environment and everything in it is beautiful and of course colorful. Holi celebrations mark the beginning of spring after a long winter.
On the first evening of Holi celebrations, it is tradition to light large pyres lit. This signifies the burning of evil spirits. Once the fires are lit, people throw wood or dried leaves and twigs into them. Holi is a national holiday and on that day schools (including universities and colleges), offices, banks, and any other relevant institution is closed in order for people to be home and fully enjoy the festival.
The streets of towns and cities turn red, green, and yellow as colored powder is thrown everywhere. The colored powder splashes on the streets and people alike. Each colorful powder carries with it meaning.
- Red signifies love and fertility
- Green represents new beginnings
- Yellow is the color of turmeric (a native powder to India and also a natural remedy
- Blue represents the Hindu god Krishna
During the Holi festival, people also splash water on each other. They use water guns as well as water-filled balloons to throw and spray on rooftops. Families also gather together for festivities, party drinks, and a big delicious meal a day earlier. It is also a time when they distribute sweets among neighbors and friends.
How Holi is Celebrated Outside of India
Over the years, the popularity of the Holi festival grew exponentially. So much so that people widely recognized and celebrate it outside of India as an important festival. The Indian diaspora has contributed to this increased popularity as well. Though far away from home, they keep traditions alive and still meet up with those near for Holi celebrations. They celebrate Holi as a way of preserving their legacy and passing on their Indian traditions to those who are younger and not living within the culture.
It is a significant gesture to celebrate Holi worldwide as it is in tune with the intentions of the festival which is to break boundaries. In India, Hindus aren’t the only religion that celebrate Holi. It is customary for other religions such as Islam to join in and celebrate Holi.
This year, Holi celebrations took place on March 29. Of course, due to the Covid-19 Pandemic and all the social distancing and other necessary protocols, plans to celebrate Holi did not go as they usually would.
Wrapping Up Holi Celebrations!
The Holi Festival, also known as the Festival of Colors is by far the most anticipated festival that Indians all over the world look forward to. It is the time of year that brings friends and family together to eat, dance and be merry. They also celebrate it as the time for welcoming the Spring season along with the feeling of love. Holi week, like many other Hindu traditions, is of great cultural significance. This Spring festival celebrates so much more than just the coming of the warmer season. In Northern India, the Spring Festival is what brings the entire country together, and yes, even foreign tourists!
There’s really nothing like the Festival of Colors. So much so that other cultures and party-goers mimic this festival of colors and put their own spin to it to celebrate Holi festival of colors. That said, it does not take away from the true and real meaning of celebrating Holi which is to celebrate good overcoming evil and love conquering all. This Hindu festival of colors