The festival of colours celebrates the beginning of spring commemorating good harvests and the fertile land. Hindus believe it is a time of enjoying springs abundant colors and saying farewell to winter. During this event, participants hold a bonfire, throw colored powder at each other, and celebrate wildly. In Mathura, where Krishna grew up, the festival is celebrated for 16 days (until Rangpanchmi) in commemoration of the divine love of Radha for Krishna. The festivities officially usher in spring, the celebrated season of love. It also has a religious purpose, commemorating events present in Hindu mythology. The word Holi originated from Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu - the great king of demons. After a penance, he was granted a boon by Brahma, which made it almost impossible for him to be killed during day or night; inside the home or outside, not on earth or in the sky; neither by a man nor an animal; neither by astra nor by shastra. Consequently, he grew arrogant and attacked the Heavens, the Earth and demanded that people start worshipping him. He then attempted to kill his own son, Prahlada, who was a devotee of Vishnu. When All of Hiranyakashipus attempts to kill his son failed, he ordered young Prahlada to sit on a pyre in the lap of Holika, who also could not die because she had a boon preventing her from being burned by fire. Miraculously, Holika burnt to death, while Prahlada survived unharmed. The salvation of Prahlada and burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi. In Karnataka - Holi is celebrated with much fervor in big and smaller cities. Per tradition followed in rural Karnataka, children collect money and wood for weeks prior to Holi, and on Kamadhana night all the wood is put together and lit. The festival is celebrated for 2 days. In North Karnataka special food is prepared on this day. Here, people drench in multiple colours, sportingly celebrating the festival with water guns and powders. {Bangalore Press e-Calendar - with you during your festivities. Download here for free: bit.ly/VdiuhA} #Holi #BangalorePress #Kama #Manmatha #MAthura #Krishna
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 15:30:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015