पावन पर्व "होली" (फागुपुर्णिमा) "HOLI", the festival of "Peace" and "Friednship" Wow! The colors of friendship, colors of joy, colors of happiness
red, green, yellow and countless.
watta a day's image - a uprising of colors.
Lively crowd running here and there,
tender rainbow of mixed colors, dashing from every corner.
disregarding their woe and despair fervent folks,
rejoicing at the marvel of colors.
watta a day filled with shine and gaiety,
watta a day to smear our dreams-
with a splash of exciting frenzy colors.
Holi a spring of unbounded fun and frolic…
"Happy Holi"...
(Click on image to enlarge)
(Click on image to enlarge)
About HOLI - Phagu Purnima:
Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day called
Holi – fagu purnima, basically fagu purnima is a spring festival celebrated by Hindus. Holi is also known as festival of Colours. It is primarily observed in Nepal, India and slo in others counties where with large Indic populations following Hinduism. It is also known as “Fagu purnima – Holi” (Nepal), “Holi” (Hindi) Doḷajāta (Oriya – Orissa) and Dol Jatra (Bengali) or Basantotsav "spring festival" in West Bengal.
Holi-Phagu Purnima bring everyone near to make new days with happiness. (Below)
The main day, Fagu Purnima - Holi, also known as Dhuli in Sanskrit, also Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is celebrated by people throwing scented powder and perfume at each other. Bonfires are lit on the eve of the festival, also known as Holika Dahan (burning of Holika). In India, after doing holika dahan prayers are said and praise is offered. The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad accomplished when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of god Bishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion. Holika Dahan is referred to as Kama Dahanam in South India.
In most areas, Holi lasts about two days. However, in Kathmandu and other mid and northern Nepal, it’s celebrated on the day of Phalgun Purnima and next day in Terai-Madhesh area. One of Holi’s biggest customs is the loosening strictness of social structures, which normally include age, sex, status, and caste. Holi closes the wide gaps between social classes and brings Hindus together. Together, the rich and poor, women and men, enjoy each other’s presence on this joyous day. Additionally, Holi lowers the strictness of social norms. No one expects polite behavior; as a result, the atmosphere is filled with excitement and joy.
Holi-Phagu Purnima, festival of color, festival of peace. (Click on image to enlarge)
Every year, thousands of Hindus participate in the festival Holi. Waiting for the day of the full moon in the month of Phalgun (In Kathmandu, Mid and northern Nepal and next day of full moon in south Nepal (Terai-Madhes) and all over India, These men and women are ready to spread the joy. Holi has many purposes. First and foremost, it celebrates the beginning of the new season, spring. It also has a religious purpose, commemorating many events that are present in Hindu mythology. Although it is the least religious holiday, it is probably one of the most exhilarating ones in existence. During this event, participants hold a bonfire, throw colored powder at each other, and celebrate wildly.
Originally, it was a festival that commemorated good harvests and the fertile land. In addition to celebrating the coming of spring, Holi has even greater purposes. Hindus believe it is a time of enjoying spring's abundant colors and saying farewell to winter. Furthermore, Holi celebrates many religious myths and legends.
Today,
As modern world, the festival of Fagu Purnima – Holi being celebrated by any religious men and women around.
Holi-Phagu Purnima brings happiness, joy with smile in every friends and loved ones around. (Below)
“Fagu Purnima” of the lunar month – Phalgun or Phalguna (February/March), which usually falls in the later part of February or March.
Holi-Phagu Purnima, the festival of color for friendship, love and peace brings smile and happiness on every face. (Below)
Tourists having colors during Phagu Purnima - Holi (Below)
Tourists having colors during Phagu Purnima - Holi in Nepal. (Below)
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Origin:
Though there have been references to a festival like this in Sanskrit texts like ratnavali where people sprayed coloured waters using bamboo syringes, the origin of the modern Holi festival has been traced to ancient Bengal. It was a Gaudiya Vaishnav festival, in accordance to Vaishnaviya Tantra. People went to Krishna temples, applied red colour to the icon and then distributed the red coloured powder or “Abir” along with malpua prasad to family and friends. Red signified the colour of passion and Lord Krishna is the king of desires. The ritual signified that all our desires should be diverted for the attainment of Krishna and for the well being of society.
In some cultures though, the ritual of burning wood and leaves on the full moon night already existed. This ritual was to signify the end of winter and full advent of spring. Old wood and leaves that had fallen were burnt to signify that it is time for new leaves and flowers. People later smeared their bodies with ash. Later, however, the story of Holika Dahan has been associated with this ritual.
The legend on King Hiranyakashipu is one of the explanations Hindus look back to. The King condemned his son, Prahlad, from worshipping the god Vishnu. However, he continued to pray to him. Filled with anger, the King made a challenge to his son. He was to sit on a pyre along with his aunt Holika, believed to be unharmed by fire. The son accepted the challenge, praying to Vishnu to protect him. As the fire began, Holika was burnt to a crisp but Prahlad lived and was unharmed. This burning of Holika is the reason why Holi exists.
Source of Origin: Wikipedia
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