Holi 2024: When is the Hindu festival of colours and how is it celebrated?

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On 25 March individuals round the world will have fun the Hindu festival of Holi, also referred to as the “Festival of Colours”.

Observed for hundreds of years, the festival is a jubilant event that sees Hindus create bonfires and cowl one another in rainbow-hued powder to commemorate the starting of spring.

From the festival’s significance to how it is celebrated, right here’s the whole lot it is advisable to find out about Holi:

What is Holi?

In addition to marking the arrival of spring, Holi additionally celebrates fertility, color, love, and the triumph of good over evil.

The origins of the festival might be present in varied legends in Hindu mythology, one of which tells the story of a demon, Holika, and her brother, King Hiranyakashipu.

According to the legend, King Hiranyakashipu believed that everybody ought to worship him as a god. His son, Prahlada, refused to take action, opting to worship the Hindu god Vishnu as an alternative.

Spurred by his son’s disobedience, the king and his sister Holika plotted to kill Prahlada. As half of their plans, Holika lured Prahlada onto a pyre in an try and burn him to demise.

While sitting on the pyre with Prahlada, Holika donned a magical scarf that protected her from the hearth. However, as the pyre burned, the scarf flew from Holika’s shoulders onto Prahlada’s, leading to the demon perishing in the flames.

Vishnu, the god who Prahlada had chosen to worship as an alternative of his father, then appeared. Taking the type of a half man and half lion, the god killed the treacherous king.

On the night time earlier than Holi, bonfires are lit to indicate the burning of Holika and the victory of good over evil. Some Hindus who observe the festival will even smear themselves with ashes from the hearth, as a logo of purification.

One of the different legends pertaining to Holi tells the story of the love shared between the Hindu deities Radha and Krishna, who is continuously depicted with blue pores and skin.

The historical legend tells how Krishna fell in love with Radha, however was involved their distinction in pores and skin color would preserve them aside.

After voicing his issues, Krishna’s mom inspired him to smear a brightly colored powder on Radha’s face.

After doing so, Radha then returned Krishna’s love and the pair had been married.

It is stated that lovers have continued this custom ever since, portray their faces the identical color in celebration of Holi and their love.

When does it happen?

This yr, Holi falls on Monday, 25 March. The timing of Holi will depend on the moon, which means that the date of the occasion can differ, though it often happens in March to mark the finish of winter.

The festival is cut up into two occasions, starting with Holika Dahan on the night time earlier than the foremost festivities and culminating with Rangwali Holi on the subsequent day.

How is it celebrated?

The oldest accounts of Holi being commemorated date way back to the 4th century. It’s celebrated round the world, though the festivities predominantly happen in India and Nepal.

The festival begins with Holika Dahan, the ritual burning of pyres that happen the night time earlier than. This custom is principally adopted in areas together with North India, Nepal and South India.

Wood and the different supplies burnt in the bonfires are collected days upfront, whereas an effigy of Holika is additionally sometimes positioned on high of the pyre.

On the day of Holi, the foremost portion of the festival, Rangwali Holi, is noticed.

Those participating in the festivities cowl one another in gulal, a wonderful powder that is available in many alternative colours, whereas additionally being drenched in water.

The colours of the rainbow are all symbolic in Hinduism. For instance, purple represents sensuality, whereas inexperienced symbolises life and happiness, Sanskriti journal outlines.

Yellow is believed to signify information, white signifies purity, and blue symbolises willpower.

Before becoming a member of in the enjoyable of the “Festival of Colours”, individuals are suggested to take acceptable precautions to take care of their pores and skin and hair.

According to Times of India, one ought to apply oil to their face, uncovered pores and skin and hair to guard towards staining colours.

Once the celebrations are over, it’s really helpful that those that took half bathe as quickly as doable to take away the colours.

They ought to use lukewarm water to clean the colours from their face, and chorus from rubbing their pores and skin too roughly.