Holi

The Holi festival commemorates the victory of good over evil, notably the burning and destruction of a demoness named Holika. This was made possible with the help of the Hindu god of preservation, Lord Vishnu.


Holi got its name as the "Festival of Colors" from the childhood antics of Lord Krishna, a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, who liked to play pranks on the village girls by drenching them in water and colors.



In parts of India, Holi is also celebrated as a spring festival to provide thanksgiving for an abundant harvest season.


Traditional Holi celebrations are the biggest in the Brij (also known as Braj) region of Uttar Pradesh, about three hours from Delhi, where Lord Krishna is believed to have grown up. Mathura and Vrindavan are at the center of this region. The festivities extend for more than a week there.

Rituals & Tradition

The emphasis of Holi rituals is on the burning of demoness Holika. On Holika Dahan, large bonfires are lit to mark the occasion. As well as conducting a special puja (worship ritual), people sing and dance around the fire and walk around it three times. In some parts of India, people even walk across the hot coals of the fire! Such firewalking is considered to be sacred. One place where it happens is Saras village near Surat in Gujarat.



The destruction of Holika is mentioned in the Hindu text, the Narada Purana. Holika's brother, the demon King Hiranyakashyap, apparently wanted her to burn his son, Prahlad, because he followed Lord Vishnu and didn't worship him. Holika sat with Prahlad in her lap, in the burning fire, because it was thought that no fire could harm her. However, Prahlad survived because his devotion to Lord Vishnu protected him. Holika was instead charred to death.


A priest in Falen village, near Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, says his village is where the mythological tale of Holika took place. Local priests have been walking through the raging fire unscathed for hundreds of years. Since they don't get hurt, they're considered an incarnation of Prahlad and blessed by him. The priest admitted that he undertakes a lengthy period of meditation and preparation before the remarkable feat.


Unlike most other festivals in India, there aren't any religious rituals on the primary day of Holi. It's simply a day for having fun!