About Holi
Holi is a festival of Hindus celebrated in spring season. It is a celebration of joy and friendship. People enjoy with each other and forget about personal issues. Holi is a radiant festival which is a symbol of personal attachment. It is celebrated in two days; first day is called Holika Dahan which is a symbol of new crop and death of evil soul. People acquire together in a street compound and they burn Holi.
Why We Celebrate Holi ?
Holika Dahan is related to a religious story of Prahlaad who was son of Hiranyakashyap. Prahlad believes in god but his father does not. So Hiranyakashyap tries to slay his son and he orders his sister Holika to sit in fire with Prahlad, but god saves Prahlad and Holika burns in fire. So ember is a symbol of Holika and people roast new crop in that ember.
This Year Holi 2013 falls on 27th of March of the Hindu calendar of Phalgun Purnima. In many places like Uttar Pradesh Holi celebrations will continue for 2 days and even more. The dates for Holi 2013 are based upon the Hindu lunar calendar and will be celebrated upon the last full moon day of Lunar month Phalguna.
How to Celebrate Holi ?
Holi celebration takes area with lot of joy and verve throughout the country. The enthusiasm of the people reaches its peak and matches with the nature which is in full bounty at the time of Holi.
Holi is being celebrated in Indian since time immemorial but the popularity of Holi celebrations seems to be rising with all passing year and so is the level of hoo-ha. As no other festival gives so much liberty to the people to let their hair loose and enjoy their hidden insane self.
Differences of any sort are drowned in the coloured waters of Holi and people just enjoy being a play animal. To further enhance the festive spirit of Holi celebrations we have a social sanction to get a kick with the tradition of bhang. Then there is sum wildness as people dance to the rhythm of dholak and sing traditional folk songs in loudest possible pitch.
Children particularly enjoy the festival as they throw water filled balloons at passersby...and if anybody stares..they have ready solution, 'Bura na mano Holi hai..' and evoke a smile on the irritated face. Besides, they have their water missiles, called pichkaris to drench the person from far and escape further drenching.
In the midst of these colouring games are savoured the mouth watering holi specialities like gujiya, malpuas, mathri, puran poli, dahi badas etc and downed with glasses full of thandai.
In some states there is also a tradition of breaking the pot full of buttermilk which is hung high on the streets. A group of boys form a human pyramid and one of them fracture the pot. All this while womenfolk throw buckets of colour water on them and sing folk songs.
And after a wild and eventful day, evenings are celebrated in a dignified manner by visiting friends and relatives. People exchange sweets and embrace each other conveying the hot wishes for Holi. These days there people also participate and organise Holi Meets and enjoy the festival till late in the night.
Holi celebrations that starts with the burning of Holika upon the eve of Holi thus culminates with the lot of funfilled activity and bonhomie. However, at some places specially Mathura and Barsana Holi celebrations continue for a week as each major temple organise a Holi bash upon different day. Lovers of the festival enjoy every moment to the hilt.
Protection
The colors of Holi may depart harmful effect on your skin. Moisturize your skin with oil or lotion before playing Holi. Keep your nails protected by dark nail paint and also apply oil in your hairs. Use cool water to wash your face and guard your lips with petroleum jelly. It is a symbol of acquire-together and glad environment.
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