Holi was originally a spring fertility and harvest festival. Nowadays, it is more a celebration of life, and is a very lively celebration that is fun for all participants. Holi is celebrated on last full moon of the month of Phalguna (in February or March).
Holi is primarily observed in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. It is also observed in countries that have Hindu communities, including the USA and the UK.
Origins of Holi
The origins of Holi are unclear, but there are a number of legends related to the festival. The legends centre round the triumph of good over evil, and the courtship of Radha by Krishna and her divine love for him. It is said that Lord Krishna played pranks on the gopis (cow girls) at this time, popularizing the Festival of Holi. Lord Krishna also applied color to Radha and other gopis, thus starting the tradition of playing with colors.
One legend is about a powerful king, Hiranyakshyap, who considered himself a god. His son, Prahlad, began to worship Lord Vishnu, angering his father. Hiranyakshyap asked his sister, Holika, who had a boon to enter fire unscathed, to help him get rid of his son by entering a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. Prahlad was saved for his devotion for Lord Vishnu, but Holika died in the fire.
There are minor references to Holi in a number of ancient writings, and a 16th century panel in a temple at Hampi depicts a scene of Holi. There are a number of other murals and paintings in medieval Indian temples which show images of Holi.
Rituals of Holi
The main celebration of Holi takes place over three days. Day 1, the day of the full moon, is known as Holi Purnima. Day 2 is known as Puno. Day 3, the liveliest and final day of Holi, is known as Parva.
On Holi Purnima, a platter, called a Thali, is arranged with colored powders. A small brass pot, called a Lota, is filled with colored water. The oldest male family member begins the festivities, sprinkling colors onto every member of the family. After him, the youngsters do the same.
On Puno, images of Holika are burnt, to remember the legend of Prahlad and his devotion to Lord Vishnu. Large bonfires are lit in the evening, with people gathering to sing folk songs and to dance. Mothers often seek a blessing for their babies from Agni, the god of fire, by carrying their babies around the fire 5 times in a clockwise direction.
On Parva, children, and young men and women, visit each other's homes, smearing colored powders on each other's faces and bodies, and throwing colored powders in the air. Large syringes, known as Pickkaris, and water balloons are filled with colored water and sprayed at other people. Powder is smeared on the faces of some deities, in particular Krishna and Radha.
Dates of Holi
- 2011: March 19, 2011
- 2012: March 8, 2012
- 2013: March 27, 2013
Further Information
For further information about the Hindu Calendar and Hindu Festivals, see The Hindu Calendar and Hindu Festivals.
For further information about Holi, see Holi.
Mark Tibbits - A professional writer and educator who writes about Astrology, South Asia/China, the UK, the British Royal Family, and Religion.
Join the Conversation