|
|
|
|
|
Find
some delicious recipies for this festive season
|
|
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Holi
Holi is held in early spring at the full
moon of Phalgun. The festival is connected
with the legend of Hiranyakashipu (H) and
his son Prahlada. H, a devotee of Siva obtained
from the Lord, the sovergeinity of the three
worlds for a million years. He persecuted
his son because he was a devoted worshipper
of Vishnu. Angry with his son H started
torturing his son with the help of his sister
Holika. Many attempts on Prahlada’s
life failed. Eventually
entered a pillar of heated iron and tore
H to pieces. Then
Holika tried to burn herself with Prahlada.
While she died in the fire, Prahlada was
left unscathed. The fire is supposed to
be burnt in commeoration of this tragedy. |
|
|
 |
The legend has been localized at a place called
Deokali in the district of Jhansi where H is said
to have had his palace. Another legend identifies
Holi with the witch Pootana, who attempted to
destroy the infant Krishna under the orders of
Kamsa by offering the child her poisoned nipples
to suck. A story at Hardwar says – Holika
or Holi was, they say, the sister of Sambat or
Sanvat, the Hindu years. Once Sambat died and
Holi in excessive love for her brother insisted
on being burnt on his pyre and by her devotion
he was restored to life. The Holi fire is now
burnt every year to commemorate the tragedy. |
|
As
the brief spring warms the landscape,
northern India cuts loose for a day of
hijinx and general hilarity.
The
festival of Holi is celebrated on the
day after the full moon in early March
every year.
Originally
a festival to celebrate good harvests
and fertility of the land, Holi is now
a symbolic commemmoration of a legend
from Hindu Mythology. The story centres
around an arrogant king who resents his
son Prahlada worshipping Lord Vishnu.
He attempts to kill his son but fails
each time. Finally, the king's sister
Holika who is said to be immune to burning,
sits with the boy in a huge fire. However,
the prince Prahlada emerges unscathed,
while his aunt burns to death. Holi commemorates
this event from mythology, and huge bonfires
are burnt on the eve of Holi as its symbolic
representation.
This
exuberant festival is also associated
with the immortal love of Krishna and
Radha, and hence, Holi is spread over
16 days in Vrindavan as well as Mathura
- the two cities with which Lord Krishna
shared a deep affiliation. Apart from
the usual fun with coloured powder and
water, Holi is marked by vibrant processions
which are accompanied by folk songs, dances
and a general sense of abandoned vitality.
|
|
|
Today
Holi is an excuse for Indians to shed
inhibitions and caste differences for
a day of spring fever and Big Fun. Teenagers
spend the day flirting and misbehaving
in the streets, adults extend the hand
of peace, and everyone chases everyone
else around, throwing brightly colored
powder (gulal) and water over each other.The
festival's preamble begins on the night
of the full moon. Bonfires are lit on
street corners to cleanse the air of evil
spirits and bad vibes, and to symbolize
the destruction of the wicked Holika,
for whom the festival was named. The following
morning, the streets fill with people
running, shouting, giggling and splashing.
Marijuana-based bhang and thandai add
to the uninhibited atmosphere.
|
|
 |
Why
do we throw colors ?
In
the North Holi indicates a change of season
from the winter to spring. The fire is probably
indicate the burning of the old year and
the birth of the new year. People pray for
the prosperities of their families, villages
etc. The observance could be also to scare
away evil spirits which are supposed to
bring famine and diseases. The dancing,
screaming, throwing of red powder is doe
to keep the evil spirits away. Promptly
at noon, the craziness comes to an end and
everyone heads to either the river or the
bathtub, then inside to relax the day away
and partake of candies. In the afternoon
an exhausted and contented silence falls
over India. |
|
|
Although
Holi is observed all over the north,
it's celebrated with special joy and
zest at Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandgaon,
and Barsnar. These towns once housed
the divine Krishna.
Each
area celebrates Holi differently; the
Bhil tribesmen of western Madhya Pradesh,
who've retained many of their pre-Hindu
customs, celebrate holi in a unique
way. In rural Maharashtra State, where
the festival is known as Rangapanchami
it is celebrated with dancing and singing.
In the towns of Rajasthan — especially
Jaisalmer — the music's great,
and clouds of pink, green, and turquoise
powder fill the air. The grounds of
Jaisalmer's Mandir Palace are turned
into chaos, with dances, folk songs,
and colored-powder confusion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|