The Holi Festival (or festival of colors) is a fascinating cultural and religious celebration that encompasses much more than just throwing colored dye in the air. In this article, you’ll learn some general Holi Festival information and facts, and get a glimpse into the rich religious traditions behind its celebration. We’ll also tell you about some volunteer organizations hosting programs in India so you can have the opportunity to experience the Holi Festival firsthand.
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| happy Holi 2021 |
What Is Holi Celebrated for?
Holi is a Hindu festival that has been celebrated since ancient times. The Holi Festival is celebrated as a way to welcome in spring, and also is seen as a new beginning where people can release all their inhibitions and start fresh. It is said that during the Holi Festival, the gods turn a blind eye, and it’s one of the few times extremely devout Hindus allow themselves to let loose. They open up and enjoy each other’s company, take time to dance and party and throw their cultural norms to the side. On the first day of the festival, a bonfire is lit to symbolically burn away all the bad and give way to a colorful and vibrant new future.
At the Holi Festival, participants throw powder dye into the air, covering all in attendance with vibrant colors. In a religious sense, the colors are rich with symbolism and have multiple meanings: they can mean a vibrant new life and even represent sin in a way. For some, washing off the dye at the end of the day can mean a new commitment to live well, cleansing oneself of evils and demons.
Which Religion Celebrates Holi Festival?
The Holi Festival is primarily celebrated by Hindus. That said, the festival is very inclusive, as one of the main themes of the festival is unity. So, while the Holi Festival is rooted in Hindu tradition, it is a celebration that happens all over the world. It brings people together and invites them to throw away their inhibitions, feeling united in one big colorful group.
What Is the Story of the Holi Festival?
It’s said that the Holi Festival was originally a ceremony for married women to spread prosperity and goodwill on their new family. Since then, the festival has evolved to encompass much more. Now, one of the main focuses of the Holi Festival is a celebration of the victory of good over evil.
Good overcoming evil in Hinduism is rooted in the story of Hiranyakashipu. He was an ancient king who claimed to be immortal and demanded to be worshipped as a god. His son Prahlad was deeply devoted to worshipping the Hindu deity Vishnu, and Hiranyakashipu was angry that his son worshipped this god over him. According to the story, Lord Vishnu appeared as half-lion and half-man and killed Hiranyakashipu. In that way, good conquered evil.
Another story tied to the Holi Festival is that of Radha and Krishna. As the eighth incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, Krishna is seen by many as the supreme god. Krishna is said to have blue skin because as legend has it, he drank poisonous milk from a demon when he was a baby. Krishna fell in love with the goddess Radha, but feared she would not love him because of his blue skin – but Radha allowed Krishna to dye her skin with color, making them a true couple. On Holi, Festival participants apply color to each other’s skin in honor of Krishna and Radha.
Where Is Holi Festival Mainly Celebrated?
Holi Festival is mainly celebrated in India and Nepal, but over the years it has grown to be a celebration that takes place in many communities all across the globe. The festival is most widely and openly celebrated in cities like Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, and while each city may celebrate slightly differently, you can expect to see plenty of colors, music, and dance.
Why Do We Celebrate Holi in America?
There are many Hindu populations in the United States, particularly in larger metropolitan areas. In addition to the religious meaning of the festival, some have adopted it in the United States for spectacle and entertainment. Holi Festivals can be found in Boston, New York, Houston, and even Spanish Fork, Utah.
When Is Holi Festival?
Holi Festival is celebrated on the last full moon day of the lunar month of (Phalguna), which is generally around the end of March. The exact date of Holi may vary from year to year.
What Is the Holi Festival Like?
The Holi Festival is wild: think big crowds, colored dye, water guns, music, dancing, and partying. During the Holi Festival, people dance through the streets and throw colored dye on each other. The Holi Festival is a happy time when people come together as one and let go of their inhibitions.
What Are Some Ways to Experience the Holi Festival?
If you live in the United States, you may be able to find a large city that hosts a Holi Festival, or Festival of Colors. For the full experience though, you need to attend a Holi Festival celebration in India – and a great way to experience Holi in India is to volunteer there. Whether or not you’re there for the actual festival, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Indian culture and Hinduism, and become enveloped in the country’s rich heritage.
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| Happy HOLI |
HOLI WISHES
- May God bless you with all the colors of life, colors of friendship, colors of happiness, colors of love. Happy Holi!
- Holi is the right time to splatter the colors of joy everywhere. It is an occasion to love and forgive. It’s all about expressing the happiness of being loved through colors.
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| Holi Images |
- Auspicious red...
Sun-kissed gold...
Sparkling silver...
Adorable purple...
Bright blue...
Forever green...
I wish everyone the most colorful Holi!!! - No religion is as bright and colorful as Hinduism,
With its blue-skinned gods and peony-lipped goddesses,
And even the spring festival of Holi is focused on color,
Boys squirt arcs of dyed water on passersby or dump powder,
All violently hued on their marks.
- निकलो गलियों में बना कर टोली
भिगा दो आज हर एक की झोली,
कोई मुस्कुरा दे तो उसे गले लगा लो,
वरना निकल लो लगा के रंग और कह के
हैप्पी होली!!! - Pichkari ki dhar,
Gulal ki bauchar,
Apno ka pyar,
Yahi hota hai HOLI ka tyohar.
Wishing everyone a very happy & colorful Holi.
- Khushiyon ka ho overflow, Masti Kabhi Na ho low, Tumhari Holi ho Ekdum number one, Aur tum Karo whole lot of fun! Happy Holi!
- Holi mein hum tum karo full masti,
Aur tunko mile sabka pyar aur dosti!
Happy Holi 2021!
- Festivals are founders of life... As
No life without water
No enjoyment without water
So, enjoy the festival with water.
“Happy Holi” - May the auspicious occasion of Holi bring you positivity, hope, joy, and optimism. Wishing you & your family a very Happy Holi!
- May this Holi brings beautiful colors of joy in your life and motivate you for the next adventure in your life. Wishing you a happy and auspicious Holi!
- The vibrant colors of Holi signify love, loyalty, and understanding between people. So have a good time with your near and dear ones enjoy Gulal and sweets. Happy Holi!!!
- A beautiful butterfly carries a colorful wish from a rainbow, just to inform you, there is no one like you in the world. You are the reason for my colorful life. I wish you a Happy Holi!!!
- May the colors of Holi make your life as vibrant and happy as they are. Wish you a very happy Holi!
- Whenever you splash colors of Holi on someone, it’s like a promise of being loyal towards them always. Maintaining a lifelong bond with them and showering them with all your love and care. Happy Holi!
- May God paint the canvas of your life with the most vibrant colors. May the divine force sprinkle happiness, peace, good luck, and prosperity always. Happy Holi!
- May your life be painted with vibrant colors of joy. Enjoy the festival of colors and the music of celebrations...Happy Holi!
- Let this Holi be the time to unwind, relax and enjoy sweets, colors, and Thandai. Rejuvenate yourself by drenching yourself in joyful colors, happiness, and laughter!
- May the pious fire of Holi burn negativities & purify your heart and soul. May the colors of Holi brighten your life. May the Sweetness of Holi sweets make your life’s journey full of pleasure and joy. Happy Holi!
- Dipped in the colors of love and loyalty has arrived at the festival of Holi.
- May all colors of Holi invigorate new energies in your life…Wishing you a very Happy Holi full of joy and vibrancy.
- The Holi festival always brings immense happiness, high spirits, and smiling faces…Wish you the best of Holi celebrations!
- May the charisma of the festival of Holi encourage you to make more friends and fewer enemies, more joys and fewer worries…Happy Holi to you & your family.
- May all your dreams come true and happiness surrounds you. Happy Holi!
- May colors and bhang make your day joyful and exciting. Happy Holi!
- Let the colors of Holi spread the message of peace and happiness. Happy Holi!
- May the auspicious occasion of Holi fill your life with the colors of happiness & prosperity. Happy Holi!
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