Holi : Fact file.

Facts of Holi

Hello friends. A day after we are going to celebrate one of the popular festivals of India, Holi. But there is always an argument on the reason for such a celebration. Thanks to some so called secular organizations who find this celebration as a wastage of national wealth and harmony. I am writing this blog because of one article on face book according to which this festival is associated with many riots in India, and  created communal disharmony against two major communities of India.

 Well, first of all, this festival is not observed because of the relation of Prabhu Krishna and Radha. This festival has its origin much before the birth of Krishna. Radha and Krishna are associated with this festival for their love.

The word Holi means burn. There are two stories behind this festival. The oldest theory is associated with burning of Kama deva (the God of Love) by Prabhu Shiva. After death of wife Sati, Shiva gave up the social life. Kama deva tried to regenerate love in him, for which act Prabhu Shiva burnt him. But on request of Rati (Goddess for Passion), Shiva gave life to Kamadeva, but not his body.

This story may not be a true in those secular minds, but what is to be noticed here is true meaning of love. Passion wants love with out body. This is the character that Hinduism wants its disciple to follow.

Another story is of Prahlad and Hiranyakshyap. The legend says there once lived a devil and powerful king, Hiranyakshyap who considered himself a god and wanted everybody to worship him. To his great ire, his son, Prahlad began to worship, Lord Vishnu. To get rid of his son, Hiranyakshyap asked his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap, as she had a boon to enter fire unscathed. Legend has it that Prahlad was saved for his extreme devotion for the lord while Holika paid a price for her sinister desire. The tradition of burning Holika or the 'Holika dahan' comes mainly from this legend

There is another story too, but I don’t believe it is really connected with  Holi.This is celebration of death of Ogress Pootana who tried to kill infant, Krishna by feeding poisonous milk to it.

Celebration of the various legends associated with Holi reassure the people of the power of the truth as the moral of all these legends is the ultimate victory of good over evil. The legend of Hiranyakashyap and Prahlad also points to the fact that extreme devotion to god pays as god always takes his true devotee in his shelter.

All these legends help the people to follow a good conduct in their lives and believe in the virtue of being truthful. This is extremely important in the modern day society when so many people resort to evil practices for small gains and torture one who is honest. Holi helps the people to believe in the virtue of being truthful and honest and also to fight away the evil.

Besides, holi is celebrated at a time of the year when the fields are in full bloom and people are expecting a good harvest. This gives a people a good reason to rejoice, make merry and submerge themselves in the spirit of Holi.

Holi helps to bring the society together and strengthen the secular fabric of our country. For, the festival is celebrated by non-Hindus also as everybody like to be a part of such a colouful and joyous festival. It is a festival in which people never mind for the cast, religion, age. This festival stands for unity, not for riots..

Also, the tradition of the Holi is that even the enemies turn friends on Holi and forget any feeling of hardship that may be present. Besides, on this day people do not differentiate between the rich and poor and everybody celebrate the festival together with a spirit of bonhomie and brotherhood.

In the evening people visit friends and relatives and exchange gifts, sweets and greetings. This helps in revatalising relationships and strengthening emotional bonds between people.

Any way, I just tried to answer that page on face book. The readers of both the pages please try to get more information before believing any one.

Thanks… And Happy Holi……………