होली है भई , होली है.
बुरा न मानो होली है।
The above statement in Hindi, means that since today is Holi, let's forget and forgive each other and please do not take any offence on this playful festival.
Today is Holi! A festival of colours celebrated mostly in North of India and nowadays in almost all the parts of India! It is a spring festival, falls on the full moon day or Purnima. Holi has derived its name from Holika, Now, Who is this? Holika was the sister of the demon Hiranyakashyap. Hirankashyap had received many boons from Lord Brahma (One of the Hindu Trinities) after a very long penance (Tapas). Initially, he wanted to live forever, but that was not permissible according to rules. One that has born, has to die one day. Hence when asked to choose something else for a boon, he intelligently asked this:
Let my death, not be by a man, or an animal, nor by any weapon that was in use at that time, neither at night nor in day, not in the house and also not outside it and the list went on. He thought that he couldn't die like this. Anyway, Lord Brahma gave him the boon. With such POWER, comes ...... YES! ARROGANCE! He started driving all the devas (the gods) from their abodes and conquered their places. He not only conquered heaven, but also Earth!
He made a rule that from then on, everyone should take his name and not of God's, especially, Lord Vishnu! He was blessed with a son and unfortunately for him, his son was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. He tried killing his son many times, but it didn't happen and one of these were using Holika, his sister. Holika had the boon that fire won't harm her at all. Hence she proposed that Prahlad (Hiranyakashyap's son!) be seated on her lap, while she will sit on a pyre. Nothing happened to Prahlada, but Holika was burnt alive.
A day before Holi, a bonfire is lit, people go around it singing songs. The actual spiritual meaning that underlies in any festival that involves lighting a bonfire is to dispose off all bad or negative aspects from one's life and embrace the good or positive. Not many know of this, but nevertheless its a great time to be with friends, family members and loved ones! YAY! PARTY TIME!
The next day is Holi (FINALLY! I've got back to the subject!). People smear each other with lots of colours, sing songs, have a gala time! The main snacks served on this day are Gujias, (Triangle shaped savouries, with a sweet filling, and deep-fried in hot oil) and Thandai. Thandai is usually spiced up with Bhang, (English Name-cannabis, I Think). Those who want to get a little high and energetic have Thandai with Bhang and other poor souls like me opt for the Bhang-free Thandai!
My childhood memories consists of Holi starting with roaming about with friends, smearing each other with gulals (coloured powders) and drenching each other with Pichkari (A pistol, used to fill colour and spray). Pichakri was available in lots of shapes, mostly based on the current trend, my favourite was a Gun shaped and an elephant-shaped one!
I'm giving below a link to a holi song, that's still played on TV, on Holi!
Everyone's friend,
Lakshmi! :-)))
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiMsWs64WLU
No comments:
Post a Comment