Happy Holi 2013

Holi is a religious festival of Hindus celebrated with the colors during spring season, and this year it is on 27-03-2013. It is one of the major festival celebrated in India with great enthusiasm and anxiety. Holi is baptized by other names also and different place people celebrate it as per their traditions. It has its own uniqueness and significance. The festival has a short story behind it.

The Vaishnavism king Hiranyakashipu who is the king of demon has been blessed by Brahmaji that he would not be killed "during day or night; inside the home or outside, not on earth or in the sky; neither by a man nor an animal; neither by astra or shastra. After this he arrogantly attacked the people worshiping god and pressurizes to worship him. But his own son prahalad was a true devotee of Lord Vishnu, so Hiranyakashipu ordered to lie his son on the death bed by any means.

But all his attempts failed. Then finally ordered Prahalad to sit on the pyre with his sister Holika who had a boon preventing her from being burned by fire, but when the fire set up everyone was in appalled to see Holika burnt with fire as her boon worked only when she entered the fire alone and Prahalad still unharmed. Since that time people light a bonfire called Holika on this festival and celebrate the victory of good over evil.

How do we celebrate

Holika Dahan

On Holika Dahan or small Holi people organized a huge bonfire near cross raods to render greatfulness of Agni. Then people roast wheat grains and grams in this fire and the left behind ash is also considered sacred. This ash is applied to the foreheads as it protects from evil.

Day of colors

On this day shops and offices remain closed and people play with colors and hug each other to show their love and affection. Bright colors of gulal and abeer fill the air. Children use pichkaris and balloons to add some more fun.

Food prepared in Rajasthan

There is a tradition of consuming bhang which further enhance the festive spirit. The delicious dal bati churma and other delicious snacks adds the spirit.

Holi is a religious festival of Hindus celebrated with the colors during spring season, and this year it is on 27-03-2013. It is one of the major festival celebrated in India with great enthusiasm and anxiety. Holi is baptized by other names also and different place people celebrate it as per their traditions. It has its own uniqueness and significance. The festival has a short story behind it.

The Vaishnavism king Hiranyakashipu who is the king of demon has been blessed by Brahmaji that he would not be killed "during day or night; inside the home or outside, not on earth or in the sky; neither by a man nor an animal; neither by astra or shastra. After this he arrogantly attacked the people worshiping god and pressurizes to worship him. But his own son prahalad was a true devotee of Lord Vishnu, so Hiranyakashipu ordered to lie his son on the death bed by any means.

But all his attempts failed. Then finally ordered Prahalad to sit on the pyre with his sister Holika who had a boon preventing her from being burned by fire, but when the fire set up everyone was in appalled to see Holika burnt with fire as her boon worked only when she entered the fire alone and Prahalad still unharmed. Since that time people light a bonfire called Holika on this festival and celebrate the victory of good over evil.

How do we celebrate

Holika Dahan

On Holika Dahan or small Holi people organized a huge bonfire near cross raods to render greatfulness of Agni. Then people roast wheat grains and grams in this fire and the left behind ash is also considered sacred. This ash is applied to the foreheads as it protects from evil.

Day of colors

On this day shops and offices remain closed and people play with colors and hug each other to show their love and affection. Bright colors of gulal and abeer fill the air. Children use pichkaris and balloons to add some more fun.

Food prepared in Rajasthan

There is a tradition of consuming bhang which further enhance the festive spirit. The delicious dal bati churma and other delicious snacks adds the spirit.