Holi is one of the most colorful, vibrant and famous holidays in the world. This is a festival held in India and symbolizing the beginning of the New Year and the arrival of spring. Get ready for happy people, smeared with paint, and children, who will not be scolded for spoiled clothes. Holi is a paradise for those who are tired of boring everyday life, want bright colors and emotions.
History and features of the festival
The Holi Festival is older than all the legends that try to explain its origins. It is believed that this event is a symbiosis of elements of ancient Indian orgies in honor of the gods of fertility and the motives of holidays from around the world.
One of the legends explaining the name of the festival: a guy named Prahlada was the son of an evil king who worshiped Vishnu and slept with the deepest sleep. The king had a sister, the demoness Holika, who did not burn in the fire. Once, when the evil ruler was asleep, the demoness persuaded Prahlada to ascend the sacred fire in the name of God. For her crime, Holika was punished and burnt in the fire, and Vishnu saved Prahlada, rescuing him unharmed from the fire. This event is remembered at the festival, the culmination of which - the burning of an effigy.
Holi is held in late February and early March and lasts 2-3 days. Another legend is connected with the meaning of the festival: it is believed that Holi is a holiday in honor of the god of love, Kamu, who was deprived of his body by the malicious intent of Shiva, but, by the grace of the goddess Rati, gaining it for 3 months a year. At the time when Kamu takes on a body, everyone around is rejoicing and merry.
The essence of the festival is that all people throw multi-colored powders into the air, painting themselves and nearby participants of the festival. Don't worry about paints: you can buy them from street vendors. If this fails, do not worry - you will definitely not remain unpainted.
Holi attributes
- Music played on traditional Indian instruments.
- At the festival they drink a special drink called tandai, decorated with bhang. The peculiarity of the drink is that it contains marijuana.
- Holi participants can try bhang lassi - yoghurt with hemp seeds and juice.
Holi: interesting facts
- Preparation for the festival starts one month in advance
- The ancient age of Holi is confirmed by the mention in the Vedas
- Locals decorate their homes with flowers and bright colors during the festival
- In central India, flags and lights on rooftops are a must
- Holi always starts with the burning of a Holiki stuffed animal on a full moon
- If families take part in the festival, the showering of coloring powders occurs in seniority - from the oldest member of the family to the youngest.
Holi outside India
The festival is a popular event among people of all ages, they love it for its brightness, emotions, fun and lightness. Tourists from all over the world plan their trips to India exactly on the dates of Holi, despite the fact that the event has long gone beyond India and is held in:
- Suriname
- Guyana
- South Africa
- Trinidad
- Great Britain
- USA
- In Mauritius
- Fiji.
The most colorful event on the planet will become the brightest memory of someone who at least once does not recognize himself in a mirror because of paint stains. And this is wonderful: all boundaries are erased on Holi - gender, age, skin color, human race ... All participants unite in a single burst of fun and love for the world.
