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What is Holi?
Every spring, India celebrates Holi – the most colourful and joyful festival in the world. It falls at the turn of February and March, and its celebrations include throwing coloured powders at each other, dancing together, having fun and eating traditional foods, which are an important part of the celebration. This is the time when winter gives way to spring and symbolises, like most Hindu holidays, the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.
Holi is celebrated not only in India, but also in many other places around the world, both among the Hindu diaspora and beyond, bringing together people of different cultures and traditions. The festival carries a message of love, harmony and unity between people, crossing the boundaries of social, cultural, gender and racial divisions.
History of Holi in India
Literally, Holi means "burning". Etymologically, it comes from the Sanskrit word "Holika", referring to the mythological figure Holika, the sister of the demon Hiranyakashipu. According to legend, Holika died in fire, which symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
Descriptions of this festival can be found in early religious works such as the Purva Sutras of Mimas Jaimini and the Grihya Kathaki Sutras. A stone inscription referring to this festival, dating back to 300 BC, was found in the town of Ramgarh. King Varsha also mentions this festival in his famous work "Ratnavali", written in the 7th century. References to the Holi festival can also be found in old temples - mandirs, which testifies to the long tradition of this festival.
The festival of Holi is believed to have first begun in the Barsana region of Vrindavan and in the villages of Mathura and Nandgaon. The festival has been celebrated in various forms all over India. For example, in Goa it was known as Shigmo, when farmers celebrated the arrival of spring by performing traditional dances in the streets.
The festival of Holi is deeply rooted in Hindu tradition and has a long and rich history. Its roots date back to ancient times and references to it can be found in many ancient paintings and inscriptions.
Holi in legends
One of the oldest and most important legends associated with Holi tells the story of the demon king Hiranyakashipu. His son, Prahlada, was a devout devotee of Vishnu from childhood, which angered his father. He demanded proof of Vishnu's existence from his son. Due to a family conflict, Hiranyakashipu decided to burn his son, enlisting the help of his sister Holika. Ultimately, it was Holika who perished in the flames. Vinshu himself appeared in the form of Narasimha – half-lion, half-man – and killed the demon with a clever trick. This story is an important part of the Holi celebrations, reminding us of divine intervention in the defense of good. Additionally, the legend shows the cyclical rebirth of evil and its inevitable downfall, as illustrated by the rebirth of Hiranyakashipu in the form of other demons, who are successively defeated by incarnations of Vishnu.
Another popular legend associated with Holi concerns Krishna and his affection for Radha, the symbol of love and spiritual passion. Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu, feared that because of her dark skin, the fair-skinned Radha would reject his advances. During the party, Krishna, known for his pranks, painted the face of his beloved. This gesture became a symbol of love and equality, and also inspired the tradition of showering each other with colored powders during Holi.
Another legend tells the story of Kama and Rati. The god of love, Kama, tried to disrupt the meditation of the god Shiva, which angered the deity. Shiva, enraged, burned Kama with his third eye. His wife, Rati, was overcome with grief and prayed for her husband to be brought back to life. Seeing her devotion, Shiva agreed to resurrect Kama, which symbolizes the rebirth of love and passion.
All of these legends refer to the important values associated with the celebration of Holi. It is a time of joy, love and unity, as well as the victory of good over evil. Holi is also a time when divisions are erased - people regardless of status, race or religion, come together in fun, celebrating common, universal values. Painting faces and showering each other with colored powders becomes a symbol of unity, equality and rebirth, similar to the legends in which love and good always triumph over evil.
The Power of Holi Colors
Holi is a festival of colors. During the festival, you can see colors such as red, green, yellow, orange, pink and blue, purple. Each of them symbolizes different values.
Red - a color associated with many Hindu traditions. Red is the color of the tiltak - a mark placed on the forehead by women, indicating the married state, and the kumam placed between the eyebrows, with which it is supposed to open the third eye chakra. In general, red in India symbolizes love, marriage and fertility.
Green - represents the arrival of spring and new beginnings. It symbolizes the celebration of nature and joy, and is also the color associated with one of Vishnu's avatars - Prince Rama, who spent most of his life in exile in the forest.
Yellow - the sacred color of India, yellow, is the color of the sun and joy. Many gods, such as Vishnu and Krishna, are often depicted in yellow robes, and the color itself is believed to have healing properties. This is likely due to its association with turmeric, which has been used for centuries in India for medicinal purposes.
Orange – is associated with strength and is considered a sacred color in many Eastern religions, including Hinduism. Hindu monks wear orange robes and bright saffron turbans. Orange also symbolizes the sacral chakra, the energy center of the self
Pink – has no religious significance. It is a relatively new, albeit popular, addition to Holi celebrations.
Blue – like the vastness of the sea or sky – symbolizes infinity, clarity of mind, intuition, and peace.
Purple – is a combination of the passion of red and the serenity of blue, often associated in India with power and wealth. It is also the color of the crown chakra. It is believed that a balanced crown chakra allows for greater synergy between the physical and the spiritual.
The Richness of Flavors During Holi
Apart from the celebration of colored powders, during Holi, festival goers indulge in culinary delights, tasting traditional Indian dishes and beverages. The most popular dishes include malpu, gulgule, gujiya, and dahi vada. When it comes to beverages, the most popular are thandai, lassi, and the "magical" bhang lassi.
The Most Popular Dishes During Holi
Malpua is one of the most beloved desserts eaten during Holi, especially in northern and eastern India, as well as in Nepal. These are sweet, fried pancakes that are often dipped in sugar syrup to give them an even richer flavor and sticky consistency.
Gulgule is one of the popular sweet snacks eaten during Holi, especially in northern India. They consist of fried, golden balls of dough made from wheat flour, sugar, and spices such as cardamom and fennel. They often have a slightly crispy crust and a soft, fluffy center.
Dahi Vada (also known as dahi bhalla in northern India) is a classic snack served during Holi and other Indian festivals. Soft lentil balls are fried until golden, then soaked in water and served with cool, creamy yogurt.
Gujiya is a traditional Indian dessert that is especially popular during the Holi festival, as well as Diwali and other festive occasions. It is a sweet, fried snack in the shape of a crescent, resembling a stuffed dumpling.
Favorite Holi Drinks
Thandai - the most important drink of Holi! This refreshing Indian specialty is made with milk and almonds, with the addition of saffron, fennel seeds, poppy seeds and various spices.
Lassi is a traditional Indian yogurt drink that is extremely popular, especially during festivals like Holi. The classic lassi is salty and spiced with chili.
Bhang lassi, or Shiva's drink. It is made from Indian hemp with the addition of milk, yogurt, and spices. It has psychedelic properties, which makes it more popular during religious celebrations, including the Holi festival. You can read more about Bhang lassi in a dedicated article here
Holi in different parts of India
Holi, known as the Festival of Colors, is celebrated throughout India, but its celebration varies depending on the region, reflecting local traditions and beliefs. This diversity can be seen in cities such as Mathura, Vrindavan, and Barsana, located in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Holi is celebrated differently in West Bengal, where it takes the form of Basant Utsav, combining art and culture. The festival of colors has a different face in the state of Maharashtra, where breaking clay pots with buttermilk is popular, and yet another in Goa, where Holi, known as Shimgo, is accompanied by processions and folk dances.
Mathura, Vrindavan, Barasana: In these cities, Holi celebrations are associated with the worship of the god Krishna. The celebrations are centered around the Radha Krishna Temple and are called "Lathmar Holi". Women symbolically "beat" men with sticks (lathi), onreferring to the legend of Krishna and Radha. The celebration lasts for many days and attracts both pilgrims and tourists from all over the world.
West Bengal: Here, Holi is known as "Basant Utsav" or "Dol Jatra". The celebrations include cultural performances, traditional dances and songs, as well as religious rituals related to the worship of Krishna.
Maharashtra: Typical rituals include lighting bonfires called Holika, singing songs and dancing around the fire. The tradition of breaking earthen pots filled with buttermilk (Krishna's favourite drink) suspended high above the streets is popular in this region.
Goa: Here, Holi is called "shigmo" and its celebrations are centred around the Shri Manguesh temple. The celebrations start a few days earlier than in other regions and the locals take part in processions, singing and folk dancing. The procession depicts various scenes from Hindu mythology, accompanied by traditional musical instruments such as dhol, tashe and ghumat. This unique event attracts numerous tourists not only from India.
Apart from India, Holi is also celebrated in Nepal under the name Phagu Purnima, where it is one of the most important events in the Hindu calendar. The festival of colours has gained global popularity in many countries thanks to the Hindu diaspora, which celebrates it in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and other parts of the world.
Social aspects of Holi
The syncretic nature of Holi, which transcends religious boundaries, is a fascinating reflection of the pluralistic society of India. It is a day when barriers disappear and people come together in a celebration that does not recognise any differences between caste, religion or skin colour. The colours of Holi thus become symbols of social harmony and unity, conveying a message that goes beyond the cultural dimension to resonate with universal human values.
However, there is no shortage of critical voices that point to a more complicated image of Holi in the context of social differences, especially within caste and gender. According to some, the festival often masks existing social inequalities, not contributing to increased awareness and social justice. In this context, the need to look beneath the surface of the phenomenon and pay more attention to the still problematic social, environmental and ethical issues is emphasized.
Summary
The Holi festival is the most colorful and joyful festival in India. It symbolizes unity, harmony, equality and spiritual community of all people, regardless of their origin, social status or religion. Celebrations of this festival are associated with joyful throwing of colored powders at each other, joint singing, dancing and feasting. This is a time when differences disappear and people unite in an atmosphere of joy and brotherhood. If you are planning a trip to India, it is the perfect time to feel the unique atmosphere of this fascinating country. Traveling with our travel agency Paylesstoursindia, you will discover the magic of India; you will get to know the most unique places and experience emotional, unforgettable moments.
