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| The colorful festival of Holi, literally 'burning',
is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Phalguna and heralds the spring
season. The word probably originated from a cry, shout or sound in singing. This
festival is especially celebrated in Northern states, as a kind of Hindu Sutranalia
or carnival and is very popular. |
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It commences about 10 days before the full moon
of Phalgun (March), but is usually observed for the last three or four days terminating
with the full moon.
Holi is the time when people from all castes and social strata come together forgetting
all past differences and grievances. Originally the festival was primarily for
the Shudras who were otherwise not allowed to participate in festivals. Today
having lost its original significance, the festival is a favorite with most Indians
for being the most colorful and joyous of all. Every year it succeeds in bridging
the social gap, between employers and employees, men and women. People visit homes,
distribute sweets and apply gulal on each other, signifying the colorful and happy
spring times ahead. They greet each other, embracing three times. This is especially
significant in the rural areas where in many places; there still exists a clear
demarcation between each caste and community. And people of a high caste do not
associate much with those of the lower. |
In ancient India too, this festival was celebrated
as a day when people forgot caste and gender differences and were allowed many
liberties, otherwise forbidden. In fact Holi bears close resemblance to the important
ancient festival called Vasantotsava. Holi is not celebrated in south India, but
a similar festival in the honor of the god of love Kama, takes place there at
the same time. While there does not seem to be a direct link between the two rituals,
literary sources suggest that both occasions are examples of an age-old tradition
of celebrating the arrival of spring.
Holi can also be termed a youth festival, as it provides an opportunity for young
men and women to mingle freely and participate in dances and cultural programs
in an otherwise conservative society.  Young
men throw colored powder and colored water on women, using pichkaris. The origin
of this custom can be found in the pranks of Krishna, who used to drench milkmaids
in the village with water and play various other tricks on them. The singing of
lewd songs, shouting and dancing, also marks Holi celebrations. Thandai, a drink
made with almonds and milk, and cannabis pakoras is extremely popular on this
day.
The day before Holi is Choti Holi or "small Holi". The main ritual on this day
centers round a bonfire ceremoniously kindled at the time of the rising moon.
This suggests that the festival is also a celebration of the barley harvest. People
start collecting fire - wood, cow-dung and rubbish around a central pole in the
locality many days in advance. On Choti Holi, they come together to light the
fire. Men and women circumambulate the fire singing and dancing. A pot of new
barley seeds is buried under the pyre for roasting. These seeds are eaten after
the fire is extinguished. Divinations for the coming harvest are cast by interpreting
the direction of the flames or by the state of the seeds in the buried pot. People
sometimes take embers from the fire to their homes to rekindle their own domestic
fires. The ashes from the Holi fire are also believed to provide protection against
diseases.
As per the mythology, the Holi fire is regarded as a funeral pyre, for it is understood
to have destroyed Holika, a demoness. According to a legend, Hiranyakshipu was
a demon king. He wanted to avenge the death of his younger brother, who had been
killed by Vishnu. He performed severe penance for many years to gain enough power
to become the king of the three worlds. So intense was his penance that a smoke
billowed from his head and the entire world was in danger of annihilation. Worried,
the gods ran to Brahma for help. |
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