Holi

 Holi is an ancient festival, sometimes referred to as the festival of colour, with mentions of it dating back to 4th Century poetry.

In a 7th Century play, Ratnval, it is described as such:

"Witness the beauty of the great cupid festival which excites curiosity as the townsfolk are dancing at the touch of brownish water thrown from squirt-guns. They are seized by pretty women while all along the roads the air is filled with singing and drum-beating. Everything is coloured yellowish red and rendered dusty by the heaps of scented powder blown all over."

It occurs annually in Spring on two days in late March or early April. It was originally a festival of fertility and harvest, influencing the celebrations, but now it marks some Hindu legends.

Holika and Prahlada

It is thought the festival gets its name from Holika, sister of Hiranyakasipu, the king of demons. Hiranyakasipu demanded that people stop worship of the gods and pray to him instead. However, his own son, Prahlada, continued offering prayers to Vishnu. His father poisoned him, but it turned to nectar in his mouth. He wass trampled by elephants, and was unharmed. He tried various other ways of killing him, all of which failed.

He told Holika to kill him because she was able to walk through fire unharmed. She picked up the child, walked into the fire with him, however, Prahlada was protected by his prayers to Vishnu. Holika burnt to death because he power only worked if she was by herself. It is this burning that is celebrated at Holi.

On the first dday, a bonfire is lit to symbolise the burning of Holika. Cow dung and obscenities are thrown into the fire, as if shouting at Holika herself, suggesting the festivals association with this story.

Krishna and Radha

Others celebrate Holi in memory of Krishna, who as a young man, would play pranks on the cowgirls (gopis) including throwing coloured powder on them.

On the second day of Holi, people throw coloured powder and water at one another, and meet to have fun. Images of Krishna and his gopi consort Radha are carried through the streets.

Krishna and Radha have a romantic relationship that is often interpreted as symbolic of the relationship between G-d and the human soul - as the bond between two lovers. Das explains, "This kind of ove is the highest form of devotion in Vaishnavism, and is symbolically represented as the bond between the wife and husband or beloved and lover."

Radha was recognised as the loveliest of the cowgirls. The pair grew up together and were inseperable since their youth. Vrindavan, where they lived, is now a major pilgrimage centre for Vaishnavites.

In spite of their bond, they had to hide their relationship from society because Radha was married. When Krishna had to leave to fulfil his duty to safeguard truth and justice, he also had to leave Radha and turn his back on personal love. Radha waited faithfully for him, throughout the Ramayana and the great war of Ayodhya. It is said her love was so divine and pure that she herself obtained status of a deity, with her name always linked to Krishna. 

It is said that images of Krishna are incomplete without Radha by his side.

Spiritual Significance of Holi

Holi is usually celebrated over 2 days, with regional variations.

In southern India, Holi is called Kamadahana, commemorating the day Cupid was burnt by Shiva. Some say it commemorates the sacrifice of a woman's grandchild to a demon called Holika, who was killed and defeated by children shouting profanities at her.

It is a time when social roles are reversed. Restrictions around caste, sex, status, and age are loosened, bridging divisions and bringing people together: employees and employers, men and women, rich and poor, young and old. In one part of India, there is a tradition that men and women take part in a battle where men are not allowed to fight back.

Holi is the great leveller. By the time everyone is covered in paint, it is almost impossible to see any of the identifiers of class or social roles.

Behaviour and foul language is less stigmatised, with an emphasis on forgiveness and glad-tidings, and a common saying being "bura na mano, Holi hai" meaning "don't feel offended, its Holi."

In Begal, Holi features the Dolayatra (Swing Festival) where an image of baby Krishna is placed in a cradle and decorated with flowers and coloured powders. This commemorates Krishna's banter and frolics with the merry gopis.

Holi songs and the name of Krishna is chanted, while women dance and sign as men spray water at them.

On the first evening, a public bonfire is held to commemorate Holika's burning. "Holi-ho! Holi-ho!" is canted. People clean their homes and burn what is durty. Boys dance in the streets and people play practical jokes with passers-by, representing the antics of the young Krishna.

On the last day, people take fire from the bonfire to their homes, to purify their houses and cleanse their body from disease.

The legends celebrate victory of good over evil, and virtues like truthful and honesty. It strengthens social cohesion, as it is celebrated by Hindus and non-Hindus and involves gift giving in the evenings. In religious terms, Holi reminds people that devotees will be saved and their abusers will suffer. Like all Hindu festivals, it can inspire faith in G-d and advance one on a spiritual path. It is traditional for charity to be given for the poor, because "Holi" can also mean "sacrifice."

The role of believers in maintaining the tradition of the festival

The 3 pillars of the Hindu community are worship, scripture, and the guru-disciple tradition. Through adherence to these, traditions are maintained. 

Hindu temples are considered to be homes of G-d, and so many Hindus believe it to be important to live near one as it is a hub for spiritual life. This includes visiting regularly and celebrating each major festival in accordance with tradition.

Hinduism is also a religion of the home and during the householder stage of life, it is a Hindu's ashradharma to teach the young about tradition. Young Hindu adults are encouraged to marry and have children and to guide them to live in virtue, fulfil duty, and contribute to the community.

Festivals play a key role in this. Children are encouraged to participate from an early age, allowing them to be taught the stories at the basis of it and also internalise the rituals as a part of their identity. This enables them to eventually pass them onto their children.

Scripture and guru-disciple tradition safeguard traditions of festivals. In all Hindu communities, gurus look after the spiritual practices and progress of devotees. Hindus are taught to respect the teachings of the scriptures, and perform seva (selfless service) to G-d and humanity to soften the ego and come close to the divine. This includes festivals and traditions.

QUOTE BANK!!

Das: "This kind of love is the highest form of devotion in Vaishnavism, and is symbolically represented as the bond between the wife and husband or beloved and lover."

Vivekanda: "G-d became Krishna and Radha - Love flows in thousands of coils. Whoso wants, takes it. Love flows in thousands of coils - the tide of love and loving past, and fills the soul with bliss and joy!"

Moffitt: "the deep meaning of Holi is connected to different Indian legends and their symbolic messages. The focus may vary depending on the part of India and the world where it is celebrated."

Mahler: "Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire."

Bajpai: "Festivals, pilgrimages, and temple worship are the faith armour of Hindus."

Encyclopaedia Britannica: "Religious self-instruction is considered inefficacious. It is the guru who prescribes spiritual disciplines and who, at the time of initiation, instructs the student in the use of the mantra (sacred formula) to assist in meditation. The example of the guru who, though human, has achieved spiritual enlightenment leads the devotee to discover the same potentialities within himself."