Holy Festival of colours thanks giving

 

Holi is a symbol of love, joy and togetherness festival of India from time immemorial. It is celebrated as the festival of colours and festival of love and, also, as festival of togetherness It is celebrated on the full moon day falling in the month of Phalguna (Feb-Mar) Holl comes from the word Hola, meaning to offer ablation or prayer to the Almighty as Thanksgiving for a good harvest.

Holi, also known as 'Holika, has been mentioned in early religious texts such as Jaimini's Puna mimamsa- sutras and others. It was on this day that Holika. Hiranyakashipu's sister who had a boon to brave fire without being hurt, tried to kill Prahlad by taking ham on her lap and sitting on a burning pyre of wood. Holika was burnt to ashes while Prahlad remained unscathed .

It is a reminder that those who love God will be saved while others, who torture God's devotees, will be reduced to ashes, like Holika.

According to the Puranas and various other legends, this day is important for the reason that on this day Lord Shiva opened his third eye and reduced Kama Deva to ashes. Thus, the Holi festival signifies the burning of lust, greed, hatred, selfishness, and all other negative tendencies and the victory of righteous forces.

In Bra, where Krishna grew up, the festival is celebrated until Rang-Panchmi, in commemoration of the divine love of Radha for Krishna. Holi is also associated with the Divine dance or Raas-Lila staged by Lord Krishna for the Gopis of Vrindavan. When Krishna danced with each of the Gopis, he became a symbol of pure Divine Love.

The legend of Radha and Krishna is closely Inked with the tradition of colours on Holl. Young Krishna, who had a dark complexion, was said to be jealous of his beloved Radha's extremely fair skin. In a mischievous mood, he applied colour on Radha's face. Following this legend, lovers long to colour their beloveds as an expression of love.

The day is, also, celebrated as the birthday of Sri Krishna Chaitanya (A.D. 1486- 1533) Holi is referred to as Basant Utsav in Shantiniketan. It was the poetic mind of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, who introduced this lovely occasion in a special way

(The writer delves deep into the meaning and significance of religious festival)

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Courtesy:- C.L. Gadoo   Koshur Samachar 2018, March