Holi 2024: Date, Panchang, Story, and Significance
Reported & Written By Kumud Sharma, Diary Times, Shimla, March 24: The festival of Holi is a festival of colors and happiness. During this time you must have heard many people saying that “Bura Na Mano Holi Hai ”. The festival of Holi is celebrated on the significance of this fact. On this day, people forget their differences and congratulate each other by applying colors. Holi is a festival celebrated in the month of Phalgun.
The festival of Holi is celebrated in Indian and Nepali origin. Holi is famous by many names, like Holi, Holika or Holaka. In ancient times, people used to play Holi with sandalwood and gulal only. Changes have also been seen in these with time. Natural colors are also being used by many people, so that there is no adverse effect on the skin or eyes.
When and why is the festival of Holi celebrated?
Holi festival is celebrated in the month of Phalgun. According to traditions, the festival of Holi starts from Vasant Panchami and the first Gulal of Holi is flown on the same day. Mustard blossoms in the fields in the month of Phalgun. A different form of flowers can be seen in gardens. Trees, plants, animals, birds and humans all become filled with joy. Similarly, there are many stories of Holi. It is said that the festival of Holi was also celebrated by the gods and goddesses.
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According to Shiva Purana, Lord Shiva was engrossed in his penance and Himalaya’s daughter Parvati was also doing rigorous penance to marry Shiva. Indra’s selfishness was hidden in the marriage of Shiva-Parvati, because Tarakasura was to be killed by the son of Shiva-Parvati. For this reason, Indra sent Kamadeva to break the penance of Lord Shiva, but Shiva got angry and burnt Kamadeva to ashes. But Shiva’s penance was broken and the gods convinced Shiva to marry Parvati. Based on this story, Holi is also celebrated as the celebration of the victory of true love.
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The essence of Holi is also related to the sacred love of Radha-Krishna. Holi festival of colors is also related to the sacred love of Radha-Krishna. Putting colors on each other in spring is also considered a part of Shri Krishna Leela. That’s why Holi of Mathura-Vrindavan is immersed in the color of love of Radha-Krishna. Lathmar Holi is played in Barsane and Nandgaon.
Why is Holika Dahan celebrated before Holi?
There are many stories related to the festival of Holi. But the story of Hiranyakashyap and Vishnu devotee Prahlad is famous. Holika Dahan is also celebrated on the first day of Holi. Behind which there is a story of a devotee and an atheist demon. In ancient times, there was a very powerful demon named Hiranya Kashyap, who considered himself God in his power and arrogance. There was also a ban on taking the name of God in the state. Hiranyakashyap’s son Prahlad was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. Due to Prahlad’s devotion to God, Hiranyakashyap punished him many times, but Lord Vishnu was always there to protect Prahlad.
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Hiranyakashyap’s younger sister’s name was Holika, she had the boon that she could not be destroyed in fire. Once Hiranyakashyap thought of taking advantage of this boon, he ordered that Holika would sit in the fire with Prahlad in her lap, because doing so would do nothing to Holika but would lead to Prahlad’s death. On the orders of Hiranyakashyap, Holika collected a lot of wood and sat on it with devotee Prahlad in her lap. The wood was set on fire, but Holika got burnt while sitting in the fire and Prahlad was saved.
Main dishes of Holi –
Although many types of sweets and dishes are prepared on the festival of Holi, but Gujiya is the main dish of Holi, which is made from mawa, khoya and flour. There is also a custom of eating and feeding Kanji on this day. On the evening of Holi, wearing new clothes, people go to each other’s house to meet Holi, where they are welcomed with Gujiya, Namkeen and Thandai. On the day of Holi, various dishes like kheer, puri and pura etc. are cooked. Many sweets are made on this occasion, among which Gujiyas have a very important place.
Also Read | Chhoti Kashi Mandi Holi: Gulal Was Blown In Chhoti Kashi, People Applied Colors And Danced A Lot On The Seri Manch Mandi.
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