Holi is an annual festival in India celebrated on the day after the full moon of the Hindu month of Phalguna (early March). Colours fill the atmosphere as people throw gulal as well as abeer in the air showing great joy and bliss in the arrival of Basant Utsav (spring festival). Holi marks the end of the winter gloom and rejoices in the bloom of the spring time. It is the most joyful time and season to celebrate. This festival provides this opportunity and people take every advantage of it.
Legend of Holi Festival:
There are many interesting stories are affixed with this colours festival. Starting point one moves across the different states as of North to South and East to West. Watercolors and scriptures describe the roots of the festival. Legend plays a very important part in narrating the festival of Holi. The most popular stories of Holi origin relates to 'Holika Dahan' and Legend of Radha-Krishan.
Story of Holika Dahan:
The legend commemorated by the festival of Holi entails a demon king Hiranyakashyap, who forbade to his son Prahlad from worshiping Lord Vishnu, but Radhu kept on to do prayers to the god. Being angry with his son Prahlad, Hiranyakashyap wished to end his son's life with the help of wicked Prahlad's aunt Holika. She sat on a pyre with her nephew. In this happened, Holika was burnt and no harm occurred to Prahlad. The burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi. In proportion to some accounts, Holika begged Prahlad for forgiveness before her death, and he announced that she would be remembered every year at Holi.
Story of Radha and Krishan:
The festival of colours is also linked with the enduring love between Lord Krishna and Radha. In keeping with legend, Krishna complained to his mother Yashoda that, why his beloved Radha was so fair and while so dark. His mother Yashoda advised him to apply colour on Radha's face and look how her complexion would change. Following this ancient legend, lovers till date long to color their beloved as an expression of love.
Celebrations of Holi:
Holi is also known as Basant Utsav, celebrated with extreme enthusiasm and joy on the day after full moon of Hindu month Phalguna (early March). Gulal, abeer and pichkaris are synonymous with the festival. Elaborate plans are made to color the loved ones. Everyone craves to be the first one to color the other. In the ensuing battle of colors, everyone is drowned not just in colours of gulal but also in joy and mirth. People love to drench others and themselves in colored water, in addition Gujiyas as well as sweets are offered to everyone who comes across to color.
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