Holi 2017: Festival Of Colours – History And Celebration In India
Holi is a Hindu spring festival in India, also known as the “festival of colours” or the “festival of love”.
The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships, and is also celebrated as a thanksgiving for a good harvest.
It lasts for two days starting on the Purnima (Full Moon day) which falls somewhere between the end of February and the middle of March.
The first day is known as Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi and the second as Rangwali Holi, Dhuleti, Dhulandi or Dhulivandan.
History behind Holi celebration:
According to a Hindu Legend, Hiranyakshyap was a powerful king who despised Lord Vishnu and saw himself above the Lord.
He was so egoistic that he commanded everybody in his kingdom to worship only him.
But to his great disappointment, his son, Prahlad became an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu and refused to worship his father.
Hiranyakashyap tried several ways to kill his son Prahlad but Lord Vishnu saved him every time.
Finally, he asked his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap.
For, Hiranyakashyap knew that Holika had a boon, whereby, she could enter the fire unscathed.
Treacherously, Holika coaxed young Prahlad to sit in her lap and she herself took her seat in a blazing fire.
The legend has it that Holika had to pay the price of her sinister desire by her life.
Holika was not aware that the boon worked only when she entered the fire alone.
Prahlad, who kept chanting the name of Lord Vishnu all this while, came out unharmed, as the lord blessed him for his extreme devotion.
Thus, Holi derives its name from Holika.
This legend is of pivotal importance in Hindu mythology.
Holi is also celebrated as the triumph of a devotee.
As the legend depicts that anybody, howsoever strong, cannot harm a true devotee.
And, those who dare torture a true devotee of god shall be reduced to ashes.
GOPIO HOLI 2017 at Jardin d’ACCLIMATATION ( Metro Les Sablons – Line 1 ) on Sunday 19th of March 2017 as from 14hr00
Under the HIGH PATRONAGE OF EMBASSY OF INDIA
14hr00: Indian Cultural Show : Bollywood, Bhangra & Indian traditionnal songs by group from Rajasthan (India).
15hr00: Show by ARTHRONIK Group ( COLOR OF TIME) followed by Spread of Colors
HAPPY HOLI TO ALL
