Holi (Hindu)

Originally known as ‘Holika,’ Holi is an ancient Hindu festival of India that is one of the most loved and celebrated in the country. Sometimes referred to as the ‘festival of love’ with its vibrancy and positivity, Holi is used as a day to welcome in spring, unite people, and forget all resentments and negative feelings towards each other. 

It is believed that the Holi festival and its rituals began several centuries before Christ, with the meaning of the festival evolving over the years. Holi was first a “special rite performed by married women for the happiness and well-being of their families and the full moon (Raka) was worshiped.” 

The festival lasts for a day and a night, starting in the evening of Purnima or the Full Moon Day in the month of Falgun and starts with the lighting of a bonfire one day before the day of Holi. This process symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. Holi provides its community a chance to grow closer to their religion and mythology since its legends and stories are the foundation of the celebration. There are five main legends of Holi: Legend of Holika and Prahlad, Legend of Kaamadeva, Legend of Dhundhi, Legend of Radha-Krishna, and Legend of Pootana. 

On the actual day of Holi, the community plays with an assortment of colors and in the evening shares love and respect with each other through Abeer.  

Learn more about Holi by visiting the official Holi Festival website.