Holi

India is a land of fair and festivals. Each festival has its own charm and beauty. Holi is one such festival full of colors, joy fun and enthusiasm. It is among the major festivals of India that is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Phagun which is the month of Mach. The festival of Holi is celebrataed in all over India with different names and traditions. But what makes it unique among the other festivals is its spirit which remains the same through out the country. Holi is also called as the Spring Festival as it marks the arrival of spring the season of hope and joy. With Holi the severe winters comes to an end and fields are filled with crops and flower booms that fill the surroundings with sweet fragrance.

The foremost legend associated with Holi is about the demon King Hiranyakashyapa who wants that everybody in his kingdom worship him. But his pious son became a devotee of Lord Vishnu. The demon wanted his son to be killed. So he asked his sister Holika to enter in the blazing fire with Prahlad his son as Holika had a boon which made her immune of fire. But Prahlad was saved and Holika was burnt to ashes. Since then people light a bonfire called the Holika Dahan a day before the Holi. Next day the festival is celebrated with lot of colors.

Holi in Mathura & Vrindavan is the most celebrated festival which is celebrated there for 16 days until Rangpanchami. The festival is celebrated in commemoration of the divine love of Radha for Lord Krishna. Barsana is the place to be at the time of Holi. Here Holi is celebrated at Lath Mar Holi which is played in the sprawling compound of the Radh Rani Temple. Women beat up the men with sticks in a playful manner and to watch this is a pure joy. In South India people worship Kaamdeva the Lord of love and passion for his extreme sacrifice. According to a legend, Kaamdeva shot his powerful love arrow on Lord Shiva to revoke his interest in the worldly affairs. Lord Shiva was then in deep meditation He enraged and opened His third eye which reduced Kaamdeva to the ashes. Later on by the request of Rati his wife Shiva restored him back.

The spirit of Holi encourages the feeling of brotherhood in the society and even the enemies turn friend on this day. People from all religions, communities, caste and creed enjoy this colorful festival that strengthens the secular fabric of the nation.