Holi is an ancient festival in India that originated as 'Holika' and was celebrated by Aryans, especially in eastern India. It has existed for several centuries before Christ. Originally, it was a ritual performed by married women for family happiness and worship of the full moon. The main reason Holi is celebrated is the legend of the demon king Hiranyakashipu who was killed by his son Prahlada, who was protected from Hiranyakashipu's evil sister Holika by the god Vishnu. The first day of Holi commemorates Holika being burned on a pyre while Prahlada was unharmed. Holi is celebrated with enthusiasm in

1. H O L I
B Y- S H I V I K A A R O R A

2. HistoryOfHoli
Holi is an ancient festival of India and was originally known as ‘Holika’
. Historians also believed that Holi was celebrated by all Aryans but
more so in the Eastern part of India.
It is said that Holi existed several centuries before Christ . However
the meaning of the festival is believed to have changed over the year.
Earlier it was a special rite performed by married women for
happiness and well being of the families and the full moon was
worshiped.

3. HoliCelebration
• The festival of colours, Holi, is the
most vibrant of all Hindu festivals. It
marks the end of winter in India and
welcomes the spring season.
• On this festive day, people play with
colours , meet and greet one another
and create new beginnings. But do
you know the real reason why Holi is
celebrated? Here’s all you need to
know about this colourful festival and
what you can look forward to during
the upcoming Holi in India.

4. WHYITISCELEBRATED?
• Legend has it that once, there was a powerful king named Hiranyakashipu.
He was a devil and was hated for his cruelty. He considered himself to be
God and wanted everybody in his kingdom to worship him like one.
• However, his own son, Prahlada , was a devotee of Lord Vishnu and
refused to worship his father. Angry with the disobedience of his son,
Hiranyakashipu tried killing his son a number of times, but nothing worked.
He then asked his evil sister, Holika , for help
• Holika possessed a special power of being immune to fire. So, to kill
Prahlada, she tricked him into sitting with her on a pyre. But due to her evil
intentions, her power became ineffective and she was burned to ashes. On
the other hand, Prahlada gained this immunity and was saved.
• This is why the first day of Holi is celebrated as Holika Dahan and
symbolizes the victory of good over evil.

5. Tradition of Holi
• It is celebrated with so much charm and enthusiasm as in Mathura,
Vrindavan, Barsana and Nandgaon - the places associated with the
birth and childhood of Lord Krishna. At Barsana Holi assumes the name
of Lathmaar Holi. Here, women of Barsana give a tough time to men of
Nandgaon as they come to play Holi with them. Women drag the
unlucky captives, beat them, dress them in a female attire - yet all is in
the spirit of Holi.
• Women of Haryana, specifically the bhabhis too get an upper hand on
the day as they get a social sanction to beat their devars and take a
sweet revenge for all the mischiefs they have played on them. This
revengeful tradition is called the Dulandi Holi.

6. HOLI –
SEASON OF
BLOOM
• Everybody gets delighted at the
arrival of Holi as the season itself is
so gay. Holi is also called the Spring
Festival - as it marks the arrival of
spring the season of hope and joy.
The gloom of the winter goes as Holi
promises of bright summer days.
• Nature too, it seems rejoices at the
arrival of Holi and wears its best
clothes. Fields get filled with crops
promising a good harvest to the
farmers and flowers bloom colouring
the surroundings and filling fragrance
in the air.

7. Ecstasy of Bhang
• There is also a tradition of consuming the very
intoxicating bhang on this day to further enhance the
spirit of Holi. It is so much fun to watch the otherwise
sober people making a clown of themselves in full
public display.
• Some, however, take bhang in excess and spoil the
spirit. Caution should therefore be taken while
consuming bhang delicacies.

8. T H A N K Y O U