 |
Holi
- Customs And Traditions
Although a festival of fun 'n uninhibited joy, Holi has its own customs and traditions too. Holi's a time to let your hair down, loosen up, play a prank, get over your winter gloom and get out ! The colors of spring beckon and along with nature, blossoming after winter, you are invited to join in the most boisterous, colorful, wild and exuberant of the Hindu festivals.
Celebrations for the festival of Holi begin 3-4 days preceding the full moon in the month of 'Phalguna' or 'Phagan'. Holi or Holika marks the beginning of Spring-it symbolizes the triumph of Good over Evil, each with varying connotations all over India. The festival also emphasizes reconciliation, forgiveness, unity, and tolerance.
In ancient times, celebrating the coming of Spring was common, but gradually celebrations became associated with Hindu Mythology and now, it is the revelry associated with the customs and traditions of the festival that make it a kaleidoscope of happiness and excitement.
In with the New: Preparations for the festival begin a week ahead, and up to 16 days in some parts of the country. Everyone repaints/ rewashes their house, and you'll find everyone, especially the girls engrossed in the beautiful floral designs (called Rangoli) that they make on the floor at the entrance to their houses. Heaps of colored powder, water squirters (pichkaris), and all the things you'll need for Holi are sold in hastily set-up roadside stalls.
The Holi Bonfire: In ancient times, fires were lit and offerings from the harvest burnt in them as a sign of thankfulness to the Goddess of Fire-Agni. The eve of the festival of Holi, called "Choti Holi" is the time when bonfires are lit at street-corners to purify the air by driving away evil spirits, and to symbolize the destruction of the demoness Holika, who was burnt to death trying to kill Vishnu's devotee Prahlad in a fire. It is her whom the festival 'Holi' was named after. From the main fire, people would take home embers to rekindle their household fires. The bonfires are usually made from logs of wood, basketfuls of cowdung cakes, ghee, honey and an offering from the new crop brought fresh from the fields. Folk music, folklore and dances are acted out around the fire the night before Holi.
Water Balloons and Water Squirters (Pichkaris): On the main day, that is 'Dhuledi', the most enjoyable part of Holi is getting everyone drenched. This prankish tradition of the Holi festival has its origins in the saga of Lord Krishna. Said to be the reincarnation of Vishnu, Lord Krishna, the king of the ancient city of Dwarka, is depicted as being one happy-go-lucky prince. In Gokul and Vrindavan, in North India, where he spent his childhood, he was always up to some pranks on the young maidens. He would drench the village girls with water and colors during the festival of Holi. The girls were so fond of this mischievous boy, that although initially offended, their anger faded and soon other boys joined in, making it a popular sport in the village, and a popular tradition during Holi.
Click
Here For More Holi Customs & Traditions
|
