Not everyone knows that the most colorful celebration in the world can be seen in India. Holly is a national tradition that Indians have not abandoned for many centuries. Interestingly, the event does not have an exact date, it can be held in February or March, the main condition is the full moon. On holidays, the inhabitants of the country welcome spring, pay tribute to ancient deities and just have fun.
Holi Holiday Story: Title
Several legends are immediately associated with the triumph during which people rejoice in the onset of spring. The legend of Kholik is very popular in India. Holi festival got its name in honor of a beautiful girl who was a sister to the legendary ruler Hiranyakasip, according to legends who ruled the world.
Hiranyakashipu easily subjugated people to himself, but could not gain power over his own son, Prohlad, who worshiped only the god Vishnu. Angry at his son, the king ordered his sister Kholika to deal with him. Submitting to the will of her brother, the girl went into the fire with her child. She was not afraid to burn, as she had power over this element.
However, Cool turned to his god and he heard his prayer, protecting him from the flames. Kholika lost her life, having lost her spell. For many centuries, her name has been known to every person living in India. Holi festival is named after her, during its holding a stuffed girl is burned. The ritual symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.
Beautiful legends
Not only is the history of the holiday connected with the name of the unfortunate Holika, the legend of Krishna and his beloved Radha is also famous. The young god was so blinded by the beauty of a simple mortal girl that he wanted to be with her. However, the chosen one was afraid of Krishna, because outwardly he did not look like a person. The decision to the upset god was prompted by his mother - the powerful Yashoda. She convinced her son to color her face, using colored powder to please her lover. That is why the festival of colors does not do without colored powder, which people smear from head to toe.
The legend of Kamadev is also related to the spring celebration. This god, revered as the patron saint of lovers, once angered Shiva. As punishment for the misconduct, Shiva incinerated the disrespectful god, making him incorporeal. Admirers of Kamadeva began to pray the many-armed deity to return the punished body. Shiva fulfilled their request only partially; Kamadev began to regain his former appearance only for three months. At this time, flowers and trees come to life, love rules the world. It is this legend that gives the answer to the question of what season of the year Holi is dedicated to. Of course, the celebration allows people to greet the spring.
Holiday and regions
The attitude of the Indians towards colorful celebration depends on which region of the country they live in. The Holi Spring Festival is most respected in the northern part of the state. In the days of its holding, the abundance of multi-colored jewelry (pink, white, red, purple) is striking; they hang literally everywhere. The walls of buildings also acquire vivid colors; floral bouquets are found everywhere. Dyes are purchased in incredible quantities, stocked up by "northerners" and special spray guns, some design them with their own hands.
The most devoted Holi fans flock to the city of Vrindavan, where, according to tradition, Krishna was born. Festivals do not end within a few days.
Respect for the celebration is not shown by all people living in India. Holi festival in the south of the country is celebrated on a smaller scale, mainly boys and girls participate in entertainment. Mothers and fathers present gifts to children on this day. In the central part of the country, it is customary to decorate houses with orange flags that symbolize the fire element.
Preparation for the celebration
It is customary to prepare for this large-scale event a few weeks before its start. The greatest enthusiasm, of course, is demonstrated by young people who scour the surroundings, collecting combustible materials with which you can make bonfires. Curiously, the theft of such material from the Indians is considered an achievement that can be proud of.
Of course, people stock up with paints that can be doused with each other during the holiday. They are made from dyes that are harmless to the skin, and cornmeal. Most Indians purchase these paints in stores, some prefer to create them on their own.
Fiery night
Holi is a holiday in India, the date of which is selected depending on when the full moon will be. The event begins with the onset of the evening, the main event - the fire of a stuffed insidious girl Holika. The fires of bonfires not only help keep warm, but also drive away evil spirits who triumphed in winter. In bonfires, not only stuffed animals are burned, but also fruits, grain, flowers and other offerings of the Hindus to the fiery god. Not without ritual round dances, dances, singing, playing musical instruments. Desperate daredevils jump over burning bonfires, step on hot coals, demonstrating their courage.
Particular attention is paid to dancing, with their help reproducing the picture of how Krishna flirts with the young beauties. Boys and girls not only dance, but also carefully dye each other with tinted water, competing in who will leave more paint on the body of the “victim”. Bhang is also drunk, a traditional holiday drink made from hemp juice, sugar and dairy products. Indians do not forget their many gods, whose statuettes it is customary to rock on a swing that night.
Continuation of the holiday
The history of the Holi festival says that for several centuries, festivities associated with it have been going on for several days. After a fiery night, the inhabitants of the country visit friends and relatives who offer them treat themselves to fruits and sweets. Girls receive gifts from fans, husbands present beautiful dresses to their wives. During the festivities, the inhabitants and guests of India scatter colored powder everywhere, throwing it into the air. This action symbolizes the dispersal of adversity, new hopes. Everything around becomes colorful.
Holi festival is loved by children, since during it they are allowed any pranks. Adults who have fun, regardless of age, indulge in exciting children's amusements. The event should not be attended by stiff people who do not know how to relax, as well as those who worry about their clothes. It is highly likely that the paint does not peel off. It is not surprising that “experienced” holiday visitors prefer to put on things that can then simply be thrown away.
The end of the holiday
All good things come to an end, including the Holi festival. At about 16 o’clock on the third day, the Indians left the streets mottled with different colors, returning to their homes. Those who managed to have fun from the heart are waiting for the speedy fulfillment of their cherished desires expressed during the celebration. Sometimes it takes several hours to wash off the paint, but the pleasure experienced is worth such an effort.
This is how Holi is celebrated in India . Then the Indians return to workdays, recharged with energy for a whole year, properly prepared for the spring.
Holiday analogs
The festival of colors can also be found in European countries, whose inhabitants gladly adopted this wonderful tradition from the Indians. For example, in England the holiday has been celebrated since 2013, a year earlier it began to be held in Germany and the Netherlands. The reason for the holiday is the same as in India - the greeting of spring, farewell to the disgusting winter.
It is not necessary to visit other countries to attend the Holi festival. The festival of colors for several years has been successfully held in Russia. Unfortunately, while this event takes place only in Moscow and St. Petersburg. However, soon the holiday will be celebrated in 10 more large cities of the state.