Holi- The festival of colours

Parv Dasani

9 years

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Holi, the Festival of Colours, is a joyous Indian celebration marking the victory of good over evil. The festival originates from the story of Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, who was saved from his evil father Hiranyakashyap and aunt Holika's attempt to kill him in fire. Holika was burned instead due to misusing her fire-immunity boon.

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Famously known as the festival of colours, Holi is a joyous festival, celebrated across India.

It marks the victory of good over evil.

Holi is truly a source of joy for everyone. It is also known as the festival of happiness and prosperity. Children bring water guns and colours to the garden.

They take great joy in splashing people with water. Colours brighten the place and everyone is really happy.

Holi has a great story behind it, symbolising the victory of good over evil. Now, I will share this story with you.

Long, long ago there was an evil demon called Hiranyakashyap. He had a son called Prahlad.

He was the king of demons at that time. In his kingdom, worshipping God was a crime. Yet, Prahlad always worshipped Lord Vishnu. So, Hiranyakashyap tried to call him in any ways.

But every time Prahlad was about to get killed, Lord Vishnu saved him all the time. One day, Hiranyakashyap got an idea. Since his elder sister Holika had gotten a boon to be immune to fire, he decided to convince Prahlad to sit in a fire with Holika.

What a cruel act, isn’t it ?

Well, he had forgotten one thing- this boon could only be used for a good cause.

So, Lord Vishnu again helped Prahlad and Holika was burnt. Also, Hirankashyap was also killed by lord Vishnu for this cruel act.

Each state in India has their own way of celebrating holi. Now I will tell you how holi is celebrated in few states of India:

1. Uttar Pradesh- In Uttar Pradesh, Lathmar holi is famous in Banaras where women pretend to beat men with sticks. In Vrindavan, Phoolon ki holi (playing with flowers instead of colours) is played instead of colours

   
   

2. West Bengal – Holi in West Bengal is known as Dal Jatra, involving music, dance and Dr Rabindranath Tagore’s poetry. Processions are also carried out with idols of Radha and Krishna

   
   

3. Maharashtra- Holi is known as Rang Panchmi, celebrated with water and dry powded called Gulal.

   
   

4. Punjab- In Punjab, Holi Mohalla is organised which is a 3- day sikh festival, featuring martial arts, horse riding and mock battles

   
   

5. Gujarat- Holi is a two day vibrant festival in Gujarat, featuring Dhuleti on second day which is essentially playing with colours.

Across all states, common tradition is a bonfire which is called Holika Dahan on the day of Holi, symbolizing the death of Holika. It depicts the victory of good over evil.

So that’s all I have to share with all of You.

Wish you all a very happy holi, may our lives be as colourful as the colours of Holi.