Today 20 March 2019, Hindus all around the world will be performing “Holika Dahan”. This ritual is of great importance in the celebration of the Holi festival.
It is the tradition that depicts the death of Holika and the evacuation of Bhakta Prahlad from Fire. According to the Hindu mythology, Holika was booned by Brahma for not getting any harm from fire or never getting burnt in fire. Following the order of his Brother Hiranyakashyap (who was also the father of Prahlad) Holika sat on fire with Prahlad in order to burn him in fire and let to death. It was Prahlad’s prayers to Lord Vishnu that saved him from burning in fire. It was the protective shawl of Holika that flew to cover Prahlad’s body from Holika who was having it.
This year the date for Holika Dahan is 20th March 2019, whereas the timing of Holika Dahan 2019 is 20:57 to 24:28
Holika Dahan is a religious ceremony in which people roast “Jau” in the fire of Holika. Then the devotees bring it to their home as it is good to bring it for the family members. Also they burn 5 “Upali” in the Holika Dahan fire as it depicts the belief of burning their all problems.
Holi ( होली) is a spring festival also known as the festival of colours or the festival of love. Children and youth spray coloured powder solutions (Gulal) at each other, laugh and celebrate, while elders tend to smear dry coloured powder (Abir) on each other’s face. Visitors to homes are first teased with colours, then served with Holi delicacies, desserts and drinks. After playing with colours, and cleaning up, people bathe, put on clean clothes, visit friends and family. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair ruptured relationships.
Traditionally, washable natural plant-derived colours such as turmeric, neem, dhak, kumkum were used; but water-based commercial pigments are increasingly used. All colours are used. Everyone in open areas such as streets and parks are game.
By late morning, everyone looks like a canvas of colours. This is why Holi is given the name “Festival of Colours.”
Groups sing and dance, some playing drums and dholak. After each stop of fun and play with colours, people offer gujiya, mathri, malpuas and other traditional delicacies. Chilled drinks, including adult drinks based on local intoxicating herbs (Bhang), is also part of the Holi festivity.
Wishing you all a Happy Holi Festival! Holi Re!!!!
Let this holi be full of dance and colors. We wish you all a colorful holi.
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