Holi: An Indian festival of Colors, Joy and Fun

The festival is celebrated in different style in different parts of India:

The legend says that......

As with most of the Indian festivals, the festival too has mythological origins. Thousands of years ago there lived a demon king by the name if Hrianyakashyap. Due to his penance the God gave him many boons that made him almost immortal. Riding on pride he soon prohibited the public of his kingdom from worshipping the God. Venturing further he also ordered them to worship him in place of God. The public was forced to follow his orders as he was nearly invincible and nobody wanted to test his wrath. Ironically his own son Prahlad was completely enamored with Hair, the most benevolent form of God according to Hindu mythology that infuriated Hiranyakashyap. So, enraged was the proud demon that he went to great lengths for killing the boy. He even ordered prahlad to e trampled by one of the mightiest elephants of that era. When all the attempts to finish the boy failed, the demon summoned his sister who possessed divine attire that made the wearer immune to fire. According to the plan, she covered herself with the attire and enticed Prahlad to sit in her lap and entered a blazing fire. All of a sudden her attire flew away and she burnt almost instantly while prahlad remained unaffected.

The enraged demon hit one of his pillars with his mighty mace. The pillar exploded with a thud and the mighty form of Lord Hari came out. The form had face of lion and body of human being. He put the demon king on one of his mighty thighs and using his sharp claws he instantly tore away his body in two. That marked the end of the demon and victory of devotee boy Prahlaad. Holi is celebrated to commemorate this exemplary instance that strengthens the belief in God. The name of demon's sister was Holika. And hence it is named Holi.

The relation of Colors and Holi

However you may be surprised on the relation of colors with this festival. There is a legend that Lord Krishna was jealous of Radha's fair complexion as he had dusky complexion. Lord Krishna is also known for his mischievous behavior. So one day he found opportunity to apply colors of different shades on Radha's face. From that day onwards, the tradition of coloring each others' face started. Though primarily the tradition was popular with lovers soon it broke the boundaries s of relation and now people of different age and genders partake of this beautiful festival. Not only the friends and families unite together in celebrations.

Another theory for use of colors on Holi can be associated with the change of weather. The arrival of Holi marks the end of winters. It also heralds the spring that result in blooming of flowers. Traditionally the colors used on Holi are made of crushed flowers. Hence the tradition of color can also be traced to commemorate the beginning of spring.

The Holi of Jaipur

The city is famous for its heritage tradition colorful attire and joyous people. Holi is the day when liveliness of Jaipur reaches its zenith. The long months f winter nearly freeze the body and result in certain hibernation. The starting of spring rejuvenates the spirit and fills the people with certain liveliness. Holi is celebrated to welcome this lively climate.

Right from the eve of the festival, "plans" are made to celebrate it in the most unique ways. The festival is closely associated with colors but jolly making is the basic idea behind celebration. There are different ways of applying colors. Some use wet colors while other prefers dry colors. Then there are more adventurous spirits using complete tanks filled with colors to offer a "complete draining experience".

Traditionally the colors are made with crushed flowers that are not harmful for skin.

Known as Gulal and abeer these colors multiply the experience of the festival.

The Eve….

On the evening before main festival of Holi, a bonfire is lit around which the entire family gathers. Likewise a large bonfire is lit in suitable public places around which people of a particular area or colony are gathered for worshipping. During the worship, several sweets and twigs of barley or wheat are also presented to the fire as an oblation. The romantic ambiance of dusk, crimson flames of fire and gaiety associated with communal harmony are capable of instantly elevating ones' spirits. At the end of worship the sweets are distributed among all.

The Festival

Next day when the festival arrives a one can feel the presence of certain pleasurable mischief in the air. People of different age and disposition have different ways to celebrate the festival.

Little Merrymakers

Small urchins are the first to herald the arrival of the festival. When they scurry from house and to the streets with small packets of colors in their hands, it seems as if the joy has taken the form of human beings. They generally make small groups and visit other friends and drench them in colors. Thos who have been colored also join the group and visit other friends. In this way the group keeps on becoming larger and larger. While walking on the street they keep on playing and singing thus making the procession even livelier. These little merrymakers are the cynosure of the entire street.

Lively Youngsters

The celebration of teenagers and youngsters generally starts after 10. One can see these youngsters visiting each other's house and applying different shades of colors. They generally blow a pipe with funny noise that signifies their arrival in the street. These youngsters are a riot of laughter. They visit different houses of the street, aptly color to their friends and crack jokes, some really big jokes. When they crack jokes the people laugh their ribs out. In fact there is a non-official competition on who can keep the people laughing for the longest time. If the urchins in the morning represent joy, these youngsters are the harbinger of laughter.

Ladies don’t lag behind either….

The ladies of the house assume the form of efficient multi-tasker cum merrymaker cum social divas. They start making delicious regional sweets and mouthwatering snacks from the wee hours of morning. Their kitchen becomes the source of delicious fragrances and soon the wisps of these delicacies take a ubiquitous form. Generally before 10'O clock they become free and the kitchen is converted into a warehouse of delicious treasures. Now the ladies get their own time. They contact other ladies of the neighborhood and form a group of 5-6 ladies. Then they walk around the street while singing folk songs related to the festival in their sweet voice. They also assume the form of Santa Clause, taking a plate full of sweets intended to be distributed to different houses of the street. They visit each house, exchange the festival greetings and offer sweets. The procession keeps on increasing in the size as it advances.

Last but not the least, The men of the house….

The men of the house assume the form of a little child and shed their reservations. They generally start from mid day and continue till early evening. Though they do not blow pipes like youngsters or sing folk songs like ladies, they do crack serious jokes while applying colors to their friends. They also use to take Bhang a kind of Indian wine that is capable in turning the most reserved person into a childish being. The real fun starts after a few servings of Bhang and it is simply impossible not to laugh uncontrollably while looking at them doing some really funny activities due to the effect of Bhangs.