India’s Colorful Festival: Holi

India is a country of festivals. In comparison to other cultures or civilization’s, where only a maximum of 2-4 festivals are celebrated, we have a number of festivals like Deepawali, Holi, Akshaya Tritiya, Ganesh Chaturthi, Maha Shivaratri, Makar Sankranti, Janmashtami, Navaratri and Anant Chaturdashi etc. Holi is one of the primary festivals which is celebrated in the whole of India. Being more than 5000-year-old civilization and being rich in natural resources like agriculture, forestry, minerals and water resources, there were adequate reason to celebrate festivals.

The festival of colour signifies love and harmony. Where people are expected to forget all old issues and disputes and meet with each other with love and empathy. As a matter of celebration, they put colours and ‘abeer gulal’ on each other. In the West, Bengal children put colours on the feet of their elders. One night prior to Holi peoples accumulate woods and worship the God of Fire. It is a symbol of sacrificing ego, hatred, jealousy or other bad habits. In this season Rabi crop gets ripen so the first fruit (Bali) is offered to God. This festival is also known as the Spring festival or the festival of love too. It signifies the arrival of the spring season means the end of the winter season. Trees to change their leaves. Flowering starts in parks and love blossoms. Accordingly, people feel rejuvenated.

As per ancient era scriptures, this festival is celebrated as the victory of truth over evil. There was a king named Hiranyakshyap. He did not believe in God so started doing immoral acts. Even he declared himself as God. On the contrary, his son Prahalad was an earnest devotee of God. Sister of Hiranya Kashyap Holika was fire proof lady. She had got a boon that she will not burn in the fire. So Hiranya Kashyap ordered Holika to take Prahalad in her arms and enter into fire to punish him. By Gods intervention, Holika herself burnt and Prahlad survived. From those day peoples started to celebrate this day as the victory of Good over evils. As per one more story King of Mathura “Kash” planned to kill baby Krishna by poisoning through breastfeeding with the help of his lady soldier “Pootna”. But his planned got failed since Krishna sucked his blood too along with milk and poison. Lady Pootna got dead but Krishna survived but his colour became light black. Friend of Krishan “Gopikas” started teasing him on his skin colour. When Krishna complained his mother Yashoda about teasing of friends then mother Yashoda advised him to colour their friends too so that same look identical. So, playing with colours started at that time.

Earlier peoples start preparation one week in advance. In this festival, people used to prepare Gujhiya, Papad and Thandai and celebrate it with friends and neighbours. I remember my Childhood, when Gents of all village get assembled at a place in the morning and go to each house in the village singing folk Song. Where ladies throw water/colours on them. Afternoon they assemble at a commonplace and sing falgun Song. One such folk song is given at the end of this article.

Holi is famous for its songs too. From Songs we can guess how old this festival is. Few examples from U.P are Braj Ki Holi which is celebrated for 15 Days, Avadh Ki Holi, Banaras Ki Holi, Bundle Khand Ki Holi. Braj ki Holi is famous for its tradition “Latthmar Holi” Where Ladies used to beat gents with wooden rods. This practice still presents in few parts of UP, Haryana and Rajasthan. I have experienced it once and felt pain for more than a week. In Varanasi Ki Holi people sing abusing songs to prominent personalities specifically politicians etc. In some arts “Fools Meeting” Mahamurkh sammelan etc are also organized. So, there are multiple traditions of celebrating Holi at different places. In the evening peoples assemble at a place, enjoy Gujhiya and other sweets sing Holi songs and wish each other.

Earlier Holi was played with herbal colours. Later on, synthetic colours entered the market and peoples started using them. However, it is advisable to use only herbal colours. At some places, Holi is celebrated with flowers too. There are different traditions & a different way of celebrating Holi. So, let’s celebrate this Holi with love and compassion.

Holi of Shipra Suncity has its own colours. Peopled of the colony enjoy snacks and thadai and dance on the tune of DJ for hours. we enjoy it. Although we missed last years Holi due to Covid lockdown but expecting that the grand tradition of Shipra will return in its old flavour soon.

Wishing you a very happy and prosperous Holi.

A small poem dedicated to Holi lovers -

कितना सुन्दर आज का दिन है न कर आंख मिचोली