Myth about Holi
There was a struggle between vice and virtue in the persons of Hiranyakashyapu, the demon king and Prahlad, his virtuous son according to Bhagavat Puran. For his faith in God, Prahlad suffered many trials. Finally, the demon king ordered his son to sit in the lap of fire-proof Holika (by a boon granted by Brahma to her, he was fire-proof), while a magnanimous fire was burning.
The story mentions that the devastating fire destroyed Holika but did not burn Prahlad. This event is taken to symbolize the victory of the good over the forces of the evil, which is allegorically celebrated now with a bon-fire (Holika-dahan).
Holi, the color festival, is observed on the next day and people celebrate it by sprinkling colored water during daytime and smearing abir and gulal on one another in the evening.
Celebration
: During Holi, people take some intoxicants and indulge in revelry, which sometimes degenerate to extreme limits. However, such excesses have reduced with the spread of education. Previously, two to three days from before, people threw mud and dust on one another during the festival and colors of different kinds were sprinkled on passers-by; but at present, people generally celebrate it within their close circles.During Holi in Bihar, people visit their friends and relatives in the evening. People sing hori and chaiti accompanied with jhal and dumph. Soft strains of Braj-ki-hori in accompaniment with manjira and dholak (musical instruments) are sung in some places . At times, Jogira (comic opera) is also organized. Holi coincides with Vasantotsava with air filled with the fragrance of mango flowers.
Last Updated on : 18 March 2011
