Holi , is a religious spring festival celebrated by Hindus. Holi is also known as festival of Colours. It is primarily observed in India, Nepal, and countries with large Indic diasporapopulations following Hinduism, such as Suriname, Malaysia, Guyana, South Africa, Trinidad, United Kingdom, United States, Mauritius, and Fiji. It is also known as Doḷajāta (Oriya: ଦୋଳଯାତ) inOrissa and Dol Jatra (Bengali: দোলযাত্রা) or Basantotsav ("spring festival") (Bengali: বসন্তোৎসব) in West Bengal. The most celebrated Holi is in the Braj region, in locations connected to the LordKrishna: Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandagaon, and Barsana. These places have become tourist destinations during the festive season of Holi.
The main day, Holi, also known as Dhuli in Sanskrit, also Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is celebrated by people throwing scented powder and perfume at each other. Bonfires are lit on the eve of the festival, also known as Holika Dahan (burning of Holika) or Chhoti Holi (little Holi). After doing holika dahan prayers are said and praise is offered. The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad accomplished when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of god Vishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion. Holika Dahan is referred to as Kama Dahanam in South India.
Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (February/March), (Phalgun Purnima), which usually falls in the later part of February or March. In 2009, Holi (Dhulandi) was on March 11 and Holika Dahan was on March 10. In 2010, Holi was on March 1 and Holika Dahan was on February 28. In 2011, Holi was on March 20 and Holika Dahan was on March 19.
In most areas, Holi lasts about two days. One of Holi’s biggest customs is the loosening strictness of social structures, which normally include age, sex, status, and caste. Holi closes the wide gaps between social classes and brings Hindus together. Together, the rich and poor, women and men, enjoy each other’s presence on this joyous day. Additionally, Holi lowers the strictness of social norms. No one expects polite behavior; as a result, the atmosphere is filled with excitement and joy.
Every year, thousands of Hindus participate in the festival Holi. Waiting for the day after the full moon in the month of Phalguna, or early March, These men and women are ready to spread the joy. Holi has many purposes. First and foremost, it celebrates the beginning of the new season, spring. It also has a religious purpose, commemorating many events that are present in Hindu mythology. Although it is the least religious holiday, it is probably one of the most exhilarating ones in existence. During this event, participants hold a bonfire, throw colored powder at each other, and celebrate wildly.
Originally, it was a festival that commemorated good harvests and the fertile land. In addition to celebrating the coming of spring, Holi has even greater purposes. Hindus believe it is a time of enjoying spring's abundant colors and saying farewell to winter. Furthermore, Holi celebrates many religious myths and legends.
Rangapanchami occurs a few days later on a Panchami (fifth day of the full moon), marking the end of festivities involving colours.
PLEASE USE NATURAL COLOURS:
Holi is here…do you have your colors ready? Harmful chemical colors are one of the perils of Holi (we’re talking lead oxide, copper and mercury sulphite, etc.), so be wary of what hits your – and your kids’ skin. But you can be safe and make your own Holi colors at home with just 4 ingredients from the grocery store: red cabbage (for blue), turmeric (for yellow), onion skins (for red) and beets (for pink). All you need is 4 saucepans and you can turn your kitchen into a science lab with your kids!
The formula is pretty much the same for all colors. Take 4 cups of chopped red cabbage, 3 tablespoons turmeric, 4 cups of chopped beets and 4 cups of onion skins (from about 8 large yellow onions) and place each in a seperate pot. Add 1 quart of water to each of the pots, bring to a boil, simmer for 30 minutes, and strain. That’s it! The colors will be very saturated, so you dilute with water for lots of Holi fun. (Note: the red cabbage solution will look purple at first, but don’t be fooled, just dilute it with water and let it sit for awhile – you’ll see it turn blue).
You have the basic primary colors – red, yellow, blue (plus pink) – so let your kids combine them to make their favorite. We combined the red cabbage solution with the turmeric for a gorgeous green. Yummy enough to drink – bottoms up!
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