By: Er. Prabhat Kishore
India is the country of festivals, which symbolises its enriched culture, tradition and civilisation. The festivals are based on geological happenings, mythological beliefs, happiness and joy, changes of seasons and various other factors. Holi is one of such a festival, which is called Rangotsava (festival of colours), Basantotsava (festival of spring) or Premotsava (festival of love). It is celebrated over two days. The first day, called Chhoti Holi or Holika Dahan and the second day, called main Holi, are celebrated with enthusiasm and fun.
Holika Dahan falls on Purnima of the Phalgun Shukla Paksha and symbolises the victory of good over evil. The Puran deals that on this day Bhagwan Vishnu in the form of Narsingham, who was half Nar (human) and half Singh (lion) killed the Demon King Hiranyakashipu for his evil deeds and saved the life of His disciple Prahlad. People lit bonfires in order to remove negativity from their lives and pray for the wellbeing of the family and society. To remove negativity from the house, its cleanliness is necessary. According to the Panchang, HolikaDahan is performed during the Pradosh Kaal (which starts after sunset) while the Purnamasi Tithi prevails, while Holi is celebrated on Chaitra Krishna Paksha Pratipada.
Holi is an ancient Sanatan Dharma festival with its cultural rituals, which has been dealt in Puran, Daskuma rCharit, Kalidas’s writings. It is also mythologically related to Bhagwan Krishna and Radha. It has special significance in Braj Bhoomi, the birth place of Krishna and in Barsana, the village of Radha. The Latthmar Holi of Barsana is famous world-wide. The women (as Gopis) use lathi (sticks) to beat the men (as Gops), who protect themselves with Dhals (Shields). It is also related to Bhagwan Ram in Tretayug, which reflects in the folk song “Holi Khele Raghuwira Awadh Mein”.
Holi celebrates the arrival of summer and end of winter season in Indian Sub-continent. It is also an invocation for a good harvest spring season. It is also Known as Phagwa (named after Phalgun month), Rangwali Holi, Dhulendi, Dhuleti, Dol Purnima, DolJatra, Pali etc. Outside India, it is famous and celebrated in Nepal, Bangala Desh, Surinam, Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad, Guyana, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Jamaica and other countries with great zeal.
On the day of Holi, people apply Coloured powder solutions (Gulal) in the day-time and Abir in the evening. The custom and celebration vary with regions. It marks an occasion to renew ruptured relationship, eliminate conflicts, and get rid of ourselves from emotional impurities from the past.
Sikhs have traditionally celebrated the festival with its historic texts referring to it as Hola. Shri Guru Govind Singhji Maharaj modified Holi with three day Hola Mohalla extension festival of Martial Arts. The extension started the day after the Holi festival in Anandpur Sahib where the Sikh soldiers would train in various military exercises.
People must be aware of their wealthy health as well as environment. Hence, they should celebrate eco-friendly Holi by using natural and herbal colours & gulal instead of chemical-based synthetic colours & gulal. Herbal gulal is made from flowers, fruits, leaves and locally available ingredients. Palak (Spinach) and Mehandi is used for preparing green colour, Rose for pink colour, Haldi and Flowers of Palas and Genda (Marigold) for yellow and saffron colour, Chukandar (beetroot) for red colour. Chandan (Sandalwood) and other flowers and leaves are used for preparation of various other natural colours.
In addition to real life, the festival has been portrayed in reel-life of movies & serials too. The big as well as small screens acted as a catalyst to spread the festival vibes among the people. Several movies have become hit only because of Holi scenes and its melodious songs. Numerous melodious famous songs like “ Rang Barse Bhinge Chunarwali Rang Barse “, “ Holi Khele Raghuvira Awadh Mein “, “ Ang Se Ang Lagana Sajan”, “Holi Ke Din Dil Khil Jate Hain”, “ Aaj Na Chhodenge Bas Hamjol iKhelenge Ham Holi “, “ Apne Rang Mein Rang De Mujhko”, “ Mal De Gulal Mohe, Aaye Holi Aaye Re “, “ Jogira Holi Khelat NandlalAao Re Aao Khelen Holi Brij Mein “, “ Holi Aaye Re Kanhayee” , “Mohe Chhedo Na Nand Ke Lala “, “Tan Rang Lo Jee Aaj Man Rang Lo”, etc. are powerful enough to make people emotional.
Now in the age of globalisation, Holi is not limited to a particular religion and belief, but is open to all communities and humankind. It represents arrival of spring, season of love, and forgiving others for past wrongdoings. It is the symbol of joy, humour, friendship, and positivity in human life.
(The Author is a technocrat and educationist)
