Festival of Colours – Here’s What’s The Significance Of Holi Suggests
With the days passing faster than what everyone expects, we are already about to come to the end of the third month of the year. March doesn’t necessarily have a lot of festivals to celebrate but it has one that outweighs the nothingness altogether. Holi, the festival of colours, as we often like to call it as, is one of those colourful and happy festivals that are celebrated by Indians all across the globe.
Now, being the geek that I am, I always need explanations for everything. Just celebrating a festival for the heck of it is not something that I am very comfortable with. So, I did dig a bit deep and come up with some amazing reasons behind the significance of the Holi celebration and why we celebrate this festival all across the world.
When it comes down to explaining the mythological significance of this festival, there comes the story about the legend of Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap. But, that itself wasn’t a satisfactory answer for me, so I dug in deeper to know the nitty-gritty about the story.
The story starts with the prevalence and power of the devious and powerful king, Hiranyakashyap and his son, Prahlad, who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. The King couldn’t accept the fact that his son worshiped a lord and not him. Furious, he demanded his sister to plot and kill his son by making him sit on her lap and sit inside the blazing fire as she has the boon to not be harmed with fire.
She agreed. While she sat down on the burning flame with the confidence of being unscathed, it was Prahlad and his devotion to Lord Vishnu that saved him while Holika paid the prices of her sinister deeds.
This ritual does have significance in the history of Holi and we do celebrate “Choti Holi” a day before when “Holika Dahan” is done to commemorate this event.
This is the primary legend in the mythology that the majority of the people signify Holi colours and celebrations with.
Yet another one of the important significance of why we celebrate Holi is because of the amazing social significance it has behind itself.
Not only is it a festival of colour and joy, but it is also a festival of togetherness as well. It has been found to bring communities together and even play a crucial role in strengthening the secular bond between the citizens.
Many people believe that the unrecognizable faces painted with the various hues of colour tend to be a metaphor for the fact that everyone is the same, irrespective of their social strata or even their capabilities.
Not just colours, the significance of Holi brings forth sweetness in people’s lives too. After the end of the celebration with the colours, people tend to even share sweets and exchange gifts as a gesture of close bonding and togetherness. This has been proven to have amazing impacts on revitalizing relationships and bonds.
It is very important to practice Safe Holi, not just for yourself but for the sake of others too. This festival has often been interpreted as something very heinous by some people, which is not what the history of Holi festival information suggests.
“Bura Na Mano Holi Hain” is not an excuse for eve teasing.
That being said, let’s walk ourselves through some of the effective ways you can play a SAFE Holi, shall we?
Holi, the festival of colours, is definitely one of those that every Indian awaits every year and all for the right reasons. This year, I am definitely trying to not just enjoy but ensure that it's safe, for me and for everyone around me.
Now, being the geek that I am, I always need explanations for everything. Just celebrating a festival for the heck of it is not something that I am very comfortable with. So, I did dig a bit deep and come up with some amazing reasons behind the significance of the Holi celebration and why we celebrate this festival all across the world.
Why does the Mythology say?
When it comes down to explaining the mythological significance of this festival, there comes the story about the legend of Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap. But, that itself wasn’t a satisfactory answer for me, so I dug in deeper to know the nitty-gritty about the story.
The story starts with the prevalence and power of the devious and powerful king, Hiranyakashyap and his son, Prahlad, who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. The King couldn’t accept the fact that his son worshiped a lord and not him. Furious, he demanded his sister to plot and kill his son by making him sit on her lap and sit inside the blazing fire as she has the boon to not be harmed with fire.
She agreed. While she sat down on the burning flame with the confidence of being unscathed, it was Prahlad and his devotion to Lord Vishnu that saved him while Holika paid the prices of her sinister deeds.
This ritual does have significance in the history of Holi and we do celebrate “Choti Holi” a day before when “Holika Dahan” is done to commemorate this event.
This is the primary legend in the mythology that the majority of the people signify Holi colours and celebrations with.
How does it bring society together?
Yet another one of the important significance of why we celebrate Holi is because of the amazing social significance it has behind itself.Not only is it a festival of colour and joy, but it is also a festival of togetherness as well. It has been found to bring communities together and even play a crucial role in strengthening the secular bond between the citizens.
Many people believe that the unrecognizable faces painted with the various hues of colour tend to be a metaphor for the fact that everyone is the same, irrespective of their social strata or even their capabilities.
Not just colours, the significance of Holi brings forth sweetness in people’s lives too. After the end of the celebration with the colours, people tend to even share sweets and exchange gifts as a gesture of close bonding and togetherness. This has been proven to have amazing impacts on revitalizing relationships and bonds.
How to play a SAFE Holi?
With the gradual popularity of this festival, more and more people are coming together to take part in the celebration. But, just because this one doesn’t include fire and crackers, doesn’t mean this festival doesn’t require some statutory warnings.
It is very important to practice Safe Holi, not just for yourself but for the sake of others too. This festival has often been interpreted as something very heinous by some people, which is not what the history of Holi festival information suggests.
“Bura Na Mano Holi Hain” is not an excuse for eve teasing.
That being said, let’s walk ourselves through some of the effective ways you can play a SAFE Holi, shall we?
- Play with organic colours derived naturally from flowers, vegetables and such. This might cost you some more money but the after effects won’t necessarily show up on your skin. These are quite beneficial given the fact that they are completely extracted from natural means and don’t impose any kind of negative impact on your body.
- Understand the word “NO”. Forcing someone even when they aren’t comfortable being touched is definitely something we need to talk about under the prospect of Safe Holi. If someone refuses to be slathered in colours and water, respect that and step away. Don’t make people uncomfortable. Every single person has their own way of celebrating a festival, don’t try and ruin that.
- Keep it safe for the furry friends on the street as well. Avoid splattering colours and water on the street animals because the colour could very well react with their skin too.
Holi, the festival of colours, is definitely one of those that every Indian awaits every year and all for the right reasons. This year, I am definitely trying to not just enjoy but ensure that it's safe, for me and for everyone around me.
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