Holi Special; Date, Importance And Significance

Holi Falls on March 18!

The Festival of Colours Holi is just near to us. It is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India and across the globe by people of non-Indian origins.

Holika Dahan also known as Choti Holi will fall on March 17(Today). It marks the celebration of the victory of good over evil and this year Holika Dahan will fall on 17 March. Whereas the Dhulandi will fall on 18 March which is also known as the Main Day of Holi will be celebrated properly with all rituals.

What is the legend behind the celebration of the festival?

An evil king Hiranyakashyap, who performed penance to Lord Brahma and became nearly invincible, was envious of his son, Prahlad whom he wanted to kill. He tried throwing him off a cliff, attacking him by his soldiers, sending snakes to bite him, and several other ways but Prahlad was always saved by Lord Vishnu. He finally asked his demon sister Holika (who was immune to fire) to sit in the burning fire with Prahlad in her lap so that he would be burnt alive.

As Prahlad sat in the fire with Holika, he began praying to Lord Vishnu who brought about a gust of wind that blew Holika’s shawl off her face and onto Prahlad. The demon sister of Hiranyakashyap was thus killed while his son was saved.

Knowing about Significance; the festival marks the victory of good over evil as the legend itself demonstrates the death of Holika, who signifies evil, and the victory of Prahlad, who was a noble person and was thus protected by the great Lord himself. It also marks the end of a long winter and the arrival of spring.

Why are colors used on Holi?

In ancient times when people started playing Holi, they used neem, Haldi, bilva, Palash and other plants’ colors to play because the effect of colors on the human body was considered to be healing for the human body.

Holi marks the beginning of a new harvest season and also celebrates love.