Holi Festival
In this article, Lillie Olson will bring attention to a Hindu festival that occurs this month.
Holi: The festival of colors
By Lillie Olson
Wednesday, Mar. 8 is the widely celebrated Hindu color festival. The celebration occurs over a two-day span starting the evening before the official day. It is not a strict date each year either; it is based on the last full moon in the Hindu calendar, meaning it can happen in Feb., but is most often observed on Mar. 7 and Mar. 8.
People come together to celebrate the arrival of spring, new opportunities and the triumph of good over evil. The evening before the full festival, a large bonfire is lit to complete the Holika Dahan tradition that rids the area of evil spirits. However, it is forbidden to perform the bonfire before sunset because it is believed to bring bad luck. The celebration is in remembrance of the Holika, which was a story about a woman named Holika. As with most stories, there are several different versions and aspects, depending on what region the festival is is being told in. The basic story contains a woman who tried to fulfill her demon brother's wish and sat in a fire to burn because she worshipped her god, Vishnu, rather than him. The lord blessed her with fire resistance so she was able to sit in the fire with him. The devotion to Prahlada, rather than her brother, saved her and made her the Goddess against fear.
Rituals include splashing each other with bright liquid colors, performing Puja, prayers and dances, and singing songs. This goes on all afternoon until the evening celebration meals commence. Temples are beautifully decorated as instruments are played around them and sweets are passed around. Stone inscriptions indicate that festivals such as this have been occurring since 300 B.C.E. Central themes of forgiveness and new beginnings for each person lead to debts being paid and embracing new deals with pardoned debts.
Individuals all over the world celebrate this occasion every year, even though it is centralized in India and Nepal. Foreigners are welcomed into the festivals even if they are not a part of the religious belief systems. Variations of religions embrace the festival and alter parts of it to make events more compatible in their instances. It takes spring cleaning to a whole new level.
