Holi

Holi-Festival of Colours
Over the years, the festival of colours Holi has been associated with freshness and happiness. It has majorly influenced Bollywood and the Indian film industry. It has become a tradition in Hindi films to essay the festival of holi. Whether it is Navrang or Silsila or Baghbaan all have picturized glorious Holi songs. These songs have been well received by the people across nation.
Holi the festival of colours is marked with fervour and gaiety by almost everybody in India. Holi comes in the Falgun maas of the Hindu calandar and March of the English calendar year. Holi is one of the favourite festivals among children and youth as they are the ones who engage in it the most. .

The festival revolves around the much acknowledged legend of Bhakt Prahlad and King Hiranyakashap. Prahlad worshipped God Vishnu and revolted against his father Hiranyakashyap who dictated his kingdom and ordered that everyone should worship the king. When Prahlad disobeyed this order, his sister Holika suggested burning Prahlad alive. But instead Holika got burnt.

The other legend says that people mark the occasion of Holi with colours to signify the story of Radha Krishna playing Holi. Shri Krishna was advised by mother Yashoda to colour Radha’s face to darken her complexion.

For centuries people have been observing two auspicious days of Holi in the Falgun maas i.e. a day before holi and the main day. The celebrations begin with bonfire and organize Holi get together’s and play with colours. Instruments like the water balloons, pichkaris and colours form a part of the preparations for playing Holi.

People have now come to realize the importance of an eco friendly Holi and environment cleanliness. People prefer organic and natural colours. A lot of care is taken in choosing colours that cause no harm to the environment, less water is used to play & clean off the colour and usage of colours that do not damage skin and eyes are used. Even the bonfire on this occasion is also brunt with tree branches, straw and charcoal to avoid pollution.

After playing with colours, comes the time to enjoy delicacies made for the occasion. Different types of items are prepared in different parts of the country. These include sweets and snacks. Some of the sweet preparations are the usual ones while some prepare special ones like shrikhand, jalebi and not to forget Thandai.

During the evenings, meeting & greeting family & friends begin which goes on for the next two-three days. Often exchange of sweets and gifts take place on these Holi Milan at these meetings. Besides, gifts are sent to friends and relations. A wide range of greeting cards, short messages, e-cards are being used these days along with the age old technique of sending cards through letters and telegrams relatives and friends that cannot that stay away from home.
Author: Ms Coutinho.

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