Holi 2020 – Festival of Colours

Holi – Festival of Colours

Holi is one occasion which is considered as a turnaround festival in Indian events. This is the time when the cold winter air is replaced with the warm sunny environment and the whole world seems to suddenly wake up after a dormant winter season.

This year Rang Panchami is on 9th March 2020 and once again it is going to be a festival with the best colours and the most amazing celebrations.

Holi has a history behind it and it is the most ancient festival in India. It was earlier known as Holika. It is believed that it was a festival that was mostly celebrated by the Aryans and many in Eastern India. Initially it started as a rite that was performed by those women who were married and it was for their happiness and well being.

Legend

Holika Dahan or the lighting of the bonfire is one occasion that is very revered and is observed a day before Holi. This is also known as Choti holi or Small Holi. This is a very popular tradition in Northern India and is believed to be done to destroy all the evil forces. It is also said that on this Vaishwadev worship started so the offerings of wheat, gram, oats etc are made in the fire.
Holika Dahan tradition

There is a way in which the bonfire is lit. There is a log of wood that is kept in a public area around 40 days before the festival. This is then covered with dry twigs, leaves, branches etc. So the log finally grows to a big pile. Then on the Holika Dahan day, there is an effigy that is made of Holika and Prahlad and then it is burnt on the night of the Phalgun Purnima and coconuts are put into it as a form of offering and then the burnt coconuts are taken out and then eaten. This is one event my children wait for and they love to poke the bonfire with the long sticks and take out the burnt coconuts and cut them.

Holi or Dhuleti ( Dhulivandan, Rang Panchami )

The day after Holika Dahan is celebrated as Holi the festival of colours. Holi is also called as Rang Panchami. On this day, everyone comes and participates in large numbers and throw colours at ech other. This festival is celebrated in a different manner in Vrindavan and Mathura in India where the festival is taken to a magnanimous level. People love spraying water at each other and also pour buckets and buckets of water and coloured water on their friends, relatives and near ones.