Holi – Festival of Colors
Introduction
Holi is also known as the festival of colors in India. It is also referred to as the festival of love and compassion. Celebrations are typically marked by the splashing of colors on family and friends. It is a spring festival and perhaps the happiest and most colorful religious festival of the Hindus.
Holi Festival is widely celebrated in India, Nepal and other places with Hindu population. In recent times, this festival has also gained acceptance among Non-Hindus as a spring festival of love and colors.
It is celebrated on the first day of Chaitra. It makes the beginning of the spring. The beauty of nature makes this festival colorful.
The lovely flowers with their dazzling colors and the sweet songs of the cuckoo offer a charming background to Holi.
Celebration of Holi
The Holi celebrations begin on the last day of Phalgun. People collect sticks and straws lying in streets at a place. At night they gather at that place and set fire to the huge pile of sticks and straws. They sing songs to the accompaniment of drums. They are mad with joy. They break up when the fire fades out.
The main celebration follows the next day. People are in a happy mood. They sprinkle colored water on another. They smear their faces with colored powders. Children spray colored water on the passes-by.
Even the old people are mad with joy. All people are in a jolly mood. They forget social distinctions. They mix with all freely. In our villages people move about with colored water. They sing, dance, and jump about. They beat drums and sing loudly in a chorus. In the evening they visit their friends and neighbors.
After playing holi, many people get together again in the evening to celebrate the occasion with delicious food and desserts. Some people also wear new clothes on this occasion.
Why do we celebrate Holi?
Triump of good over evil: Holi is celebrated to mark the triumph of good over evil. It stems from ancient Indian mythology.
Fertility: Holi is marked at the onset of spring and is meant to celebrate harvest or fertility. It celebrates new life as well as energy associated with the season of spring.
Celebrate love and compassion: Holi is also called the festival of love because love and compassion is celebrated during the festivities.
Its Importance
Holi is an important festival of the Hindus. It is a festival of joy. It gives us the message of friendship and goodwill. On this occasion we forget our old quarrels and mix with all freely. At least for one day we forget social distinctions completely. There is no difference between the rich and the poor. Holi gives us great joy. It is a happy occasion when we forget our cares and anxieties.
Evils of Holi
Holi has some evils. Many people get drunk on this occasion. They indulge in rowdy behavior and apply colors that are dangerous for health. Some people sing indecent songs and abuse women. This should never happen.
Conclusion
We should celebrate Holi in a decent way. We must realize that it is a festival of joy and friendship. We should share our joy with others. We must not behave badly. The real spirit of the festival should be maintained.
