The Holi festival is the festival of colours. A religious occasion celebrated with much pomp. It is considered the second biggest Hindu festival after Diwali, and the celebrations last for two days – Choti Holi or Holika Dahan and Dhulandi or Rangwali Holi. It marks the celebration of the victory of good over evil. The festival falls in the Hindu calendar month of Phalgun, which usually falls between February and March. On this day, people play with colours, water, flowers and more, children and adults smear Gulal on each other, and people seek the blessings of their elders. People visit their friends and relatives and also relish Holi delicacies like gujiya, thandai and more after playing Holi.

 

 

Holi is a celebration of the divine love between Lord Krishna and Radha. According to mythology, Lord Krishna was of a dark complexion and used to complain to his mother, Yashoda. Additionally, Radha was very fair, and Krishna used to be anxious if she would accept him despite the contrast in their complexion. So one day, Yashoda playfully suggested that Lord Krishna should smear Radha’s face with colours to remove the difference in their complexion. Krishna followed his mother’s advice and smeared Radha’s face. And that is how Holi celebrations began all over the country. This is why the festival is played with much pomp in Mathura and Vrindavan. It is also a harvest festival and marks the arrival of spring and the end of winter.

 

 

Holi celebrations begin with Holika Dahan, as people celebrate by lighting a bonfire to signify the victory of good over evil. On the next day, people wake up early in the morning to play with colours, also known as Gulal. They get together with friends and family and smear each other’s faces with colours. Children fill balloons and toy guns with water and play with their friends. People also relish sweet delicacies and thandai specially prepared for the festival with their loved ones.

 

 

 

 

 

Information copied from Hindustan Times by Krishna Priya Pallavi

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/festivals/holi-2022-history-significance-date-time-celebrations-and-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-festival-of-colours-101647482484840.html

Photos from Penn State Harrisburg

Thumbnail pictures from https://techbriefly.com/2022/03/17/how-to-download-holi-stickers-for-whatsapp/