Holi in 2017

Holi, known to be the festival of colors is celebrated with great enthusiasm among Hindus. This year, it will be observed on 13th March 2017. Every region has their way of celebrating it but the message is one i.e. �Live and Let live..!!�. Every year, it is celebrated on the full moon day of Hindi month Phalguna. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Want to know more about this festival? If yes, read on..

Legend Behind The Festival of Holi

Festival of Holi is going to remind us the legend of Prahlada and Hiranyakashipu once again. Hiranyakashipu, a great king was once granted a boon by Lord Brahma that made it almost impossible for him to be killed. He earned that boon by a strong and long penance. He demanded the power of immortality throughout all days and nights, neither by a man or an animal, not on the Earth or sky and neither by Astra or Shastra. His boon was granted and as a consequence his arrogance and proud grew day by day. He then attacked the Earth and heaven. He commanded people to worship him instead of God.

However, the son of Hiranyakashipu, Prahlada, was a true devotee of Lord Vishnu. In spite of receiving several threats from his own father, he continued worshiping Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu wasn't able to tolerate his son being the devotee of Lord Vishnu. He was once poisoned by his father, but the poison turned into nectar as it reached his throat. Then orders came for him to be crushed by an elephant, still he was not harmed. He was then put in a vacant room filled with hungry, poisonous snakes, still he survived.All the attempts to kill Prahlada were failed. Finally, Hiranyakashipu ordered Prahlada to sit on the pyre on the lap of Holika, hiranyakashipu's sister. The demoness sister of Hiranyakashipu had a boon that she could not be burned by the fire. Prahlada accepted his father's orders and continuously prayed Lord Vishnu to prevent him from burning.As the fire was lit, everyone was startled to see that Holika was burning and Prahlad was absolutely safe. Holika burned to death and Prahlad survived the fire. The survival of Prahlad and death of holika is celebrated as holi.

The festival of holi is celebrated in Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, for a period of 16 days. The festival of Holi also celebrates the divine love of Radha for Lord Krishna. The festival of holi is celebrated in the season of spring, the season of love.

Celebrations of Holi

Holi is an annual Hindu festival celebrated with great zeal and fervor. The Holi festival serves many purposes. First of all it celebrates the beginning of the new season of spring. Originally, Holi was associated with the festival to commemorate fertile land and good harvests. Hindus believe that it is time to bid adieu to the winter season and welcome the new season of spring. It also serves the religious purposes, as there is legend of Prahlad and Holika associated to this festival. The festival begins at night with the bonfire.

Hindus celebrate Chhoti Holi and on its eve they lit the bonfire and the Holika Dehan prayers are offered to the fire. The bonfire is lit in the memory of marvelous escape of Prahlad and the death of holika.The main day is Dulhendi on which people throw scented and colored powder on each other. This is the day that comes after Chhoti Holi and is mostly referred to as Badi holi, or simply Holi.

Holi festival is celebrated at the end of winter season on the last full moon day of the month of Falgun, as per the Hindu lunar calendar. Holi 2017 will be celebrated on 13th March. Chhoti Holi will be celebrated on 12th march and Badi holi on 13th march, 2017.

Women at home prepare delicious sweets that include the popular Gujiya. Many other dishes are also prepared that are widely enjoyed by children and elders. People indulge in to merry making by celebrating the festival of colors - Holi. Holi is considered to be one of the most exhilarating festivals. People enjoy playing colors with each other and share a lot of happiness. The festival of Holi has its basic essence in the belief that people forget the differences between each other and enjoy and celebrate Holi as one.

So indulge into festivities and get colored in colors of Holi, leaving behind all the bad memories- unite and celebrate as one. Happy Holi!