Holi is an ancient Indian festival originally known as “Holika”. Holi is said to have existed several centuries before Christ. However, it is believed that the meaning of the holi has changed over the years. It used to be a special ritual performed by married women for the happiness and prosperity of their families and was worshiped on the full moon.
HISTORY OF HOLI
The literal meaning of the word “Holi” is “to burn”. There are various legends explaining the meaning of the word, the most famous of which is related to the demon king Hiranyakashyap.
Hiranyakashyap wanted everyone in his kingdom to worship only him, but to his great disappointment, his son Prahlad became an ardent devotee of Lord Narayana. Hiaranyakashyap ordered his sister Holika to enter the blazing fire with Prahlad on her lap. Holika had a gift that allowed her to walk through fire without taking damage.However, what she didn’t know is that the perk only works if she walks into the fire herself. As a result, he paid the price for his dark desires, while Prahlad was saved by God’s grace for his extreme devotion. The holi day celebrates the victory of good over evil and the triumph of piety.
The legend of Shri Krishna is also connected with the play of colors because the Lord initiated the tradition of play with colors by coloring his beloved Radha and other gopis. Gradually, the art gained popularity among the people and became a tradition.There are also many other legends associated with the festival – such as the legend of Shiva and Kaamadeva and the ogress Dhundi and Pootana.They all represent the triumph of good over evil and give the festival a philosophy.
Importance of Holi
Celebrating the various legends related to Holi reassures people about the power of truth, since the moral of all these legends is the ultimate victory of good over evil. This is extremely important in modern society, when so many people resort to evil practices and torment the honest for little gain.
Holi is also celebrated at the time of year when the fields are in full bloom and a good harvest is expected. It gives people a good reason to rejoice, have fun and immerse themselves in the spirit of Holi. Holi helps connect society and strengthen the secular fabric of our country. This is because the festival is also celebrated by non-Hindus as everyone loves to be a part of such a colorful and happy festival.
There is another scientific reason for celebrating Holi, but it relates to the tradition of Holika Dahan. The period of winter and spring mutations induces the growth of bacteria in the atmosphere and body of the finger. When you burn Holika, the temperature rises to about 145 degrees Fahrenheit.According to tradition, when people perform parikrima (walking or walking) around a fire, the heat of the fire kills the bacteria in the body and purifies it.People also clean their houses in Holi, which helps in removing dust and clutter from the house and getting rid of mosquitoes and other pests. A clean house generally improves the well-being of the residents and generates positive energy.
