~ Hindu Festivals ~

[MysteRy]

Holi Celebrations in India

Holi is one of the major festivals of India and celebrated with immense joy and fervor throughout the country. It is celebrated in the month of Phalgun according to the Hindu calendar which commemorates with the month of March in the Gregorian calendar. The date of Holi is decided according to the Hindu calendar according to which the date lying on the Phalgun Purnima is considered the day for Holi. Though the festival is celebrated in most of the parts of the country, the celebrations have a regional influence in their rituals and traditions. The celebration of Holi is known as the ‘celebrations of colors and joys’. Holi starts at midnight with a bonfire of Holika and the celebrations come to climax in the morning when colors and music fill the entire atmosphere with zeal of joy and celebrations.

North India
North India is famous for its rough and tough kind of Holi. Legends say that Lord Krishna spent most of his childhood in Mathura and Vrindavana and he was the one to introduce the modern form of Holi in this part of the country. That is why Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm at these places for about a week. In North India, the Holi of Mathura and Vrindavana are specially known for its immense enthusiasm and zeal.

In Mathura and Vridavana, the major temples of the region dedicated to Krishna and Radha celebrate Holi on a different day. Very similar to these two places, in most of the North Indian states, Holi means getting drenched with colored water and gulal. It is considered auspicious as well as becomes quite enjoyable. The playful teasing by women and attempts by men to color them with 'gulal' and wet colors from 'pichkari', the attempts to escape and beating the men with sticks to scamper them away makes Holi very fun filling and enjoyable. These celebrations are accompanied with scrumptious food and lip smacking items.

Punjab and Haryana
In Punjab and Haryana, Holi is celebrated in a yet interested way. The brides of the families hang a pot of buttermilk high up in the streets and challenge to their brothers-in-law, who try to get to break the pot by forming a human pyramid. Women try to stop them by beating them with their saris rolled up as ropes. This mock-drama is staged to commemorate the playful pranks of child Krishna, who would steal milk, butter and curd from the maids' houses. In the evening, the brothers-in-law bring sweetmeats for the women of the house for their contribution in keeping the family united. The color play also takes place simultaneously.

Western India
Like Haryana, Maharashtra and Gujarat and other states of West India, also has mock-drama of Krishna trying to break the pots and steal the butter. Besides, this ‘Matka-breaking ceremony’, men in these states also takes out several grand processions singing Holi songs and poems. Soaked with colored water, they walk through the streets and sing to mock alert the people of the house in the locality to take care of their pots of butter and milk as Krishna may come in and steal them. At the time of evening, people visit each others home, exchange sweets and good wishes.

Eastern India
In eastern state of India, West Bengal has an interesting and different kind of Holi. In Bengal, Holi is called Dol Yatra (the Swing Festival) in which idols of Krishna and Radha are placed on swings and devotees take turns to swing them. Women perform devotional songs and dances around the swing as men spray colored water and 'Abeer' (colored powder) on them. However, the tradition is being lost gradually and the modern trend of playing with colored water and powders in the morning and then take out processions on the streets with music and drums has also influenced the Bengali Holi. In Orissa, traditions are similar to that of Bengal except for the fact that the idols of Jagannath is placed on the swing here instead of Krishna and Radha, who is believed to be another form of Krishna. The tradition of sweet exchange, feasting and color play has also become prominent in the state now.

'Vasanta Utsav' in Shantiniketan
Rabindranath Tagore, the Noble laureate from India, revived Holi as the Spring festival by introducing 'Vasanta Utsav' in his Shantiniketan or Bishwabharati University, which is celebrated here in a very special way. Students and youths dress up in bright colorful dresses such as yellow and stage a number of cultural programs involving group choreography, songs and dance followed by playing Holi with 'Abeer' (colored powder). Today, Vasanta Utsav has become an important part of the Bengali culture.

North East
If we talk about the North Esatern Holi, the Holi of Manipur is interesting enough to draw the attention. Holi is a six-day long in Manipur and commences on the full moon day of Phalguna. In the 18th century, it merged with the traditional and centuries-old Yaosang festival of Manipur. In earlier times, there were folk songs and dance performances under the moonlight accompanied by the indigenous drums. Today, modern musical instruments have replaced the drums and fluorescent lamps have replaced the moonlight.

Days before, people collect money from the community for the expenses on the festivities. A thatched hut of hay, twigs and sticks is built, only to be set ablaze. Next morning, groups of boys go to play 'gulal' with the girls and pay them money to get the favor. Devotees play 'gulal', sing devotional songs and dance in front of the Krishna temple dressed in the traditional white and yellow turban. On the last day of the festival, a grand procession is taken out to the main Krishna temple in the capital of Manipur, Imphal where multitude of cultural programs take place.

[MysteRy]

Regional Holi Celebrations

India is a vast and diverse land, with people of different caste, creed and religion residing within its boundaries. The country is divided into many regions, which are culturally distinct from each other in so many respects. These geographical regions are known as states and union territories. Apart from observing the national holidays, the regions have their own fairs and festivals that are celebrated with great zeal. The spring festival of Holi is celebrated throughout the northern parts of the nation, with great fanfare. Though the basic aim and purpose behind the revelry is the same, the ways and means of rejoicing are varied.

Holi, called by different names in different parts of India, is even celebrated on different days. For instance, the Holi celebrations in Braj Bhoomi, the land of Lord Krishna, are the most spectacular. The enthralling experience of witnessing the enigmatic blend of festivity and divinity is simply awe-inspiring. On the other hand, the pot breaking sport of Maharashtra, the beats of Dhol (musical instrument) in Punjab and the thud of sticks in Uttar Pradesh, together reverberate, to pay homage to the Lord. Lathmaar Holi is celebrated in Barsana, a small village at a distance of about 15 km from Vrindavan. It is known throughout India for its traditional Holi celebrations. No other city in the country can match the grandeur of the festival here, except Mathura Vrindavan.

Holi in Maharashtra
Holi is a colorful festival celebrated during the spring season (March), in India. It is the time, when people let their hair down and enjoy the time with fun and fervor. As the festival falls on the transition stage from chilly winters to summers, it brings in a degree of warmth and fills the air with festivity. Few days prior to the festival, people indulge in the merrymaking.

Holi in Mathura Vrindavan
Holi is one of the most important festivals in India. It is celebrated with immense zeal and fervor throughout the length and breadth of the country. Though the celebrations take place everywhere in the country with extreme enthusiasm and zeal, the celebrations of various places have regional differences. The Holi in Kolkata is different from that of Orissa; the Holi in Bihar is different from that of Haryana. In West India, the Holi is entirely different from how it is celebrated in North Eastern state of Manipur.

Lathmaar Holi
Holi is one of the most ancient festivals in India. It was originally named as 'Holika’. It is celebrated in most of the parts of the country. The celebrations of Holi are full of immense zeal and fervor. It is also one of the most popular Indian festivals abroad. The celebrations of Holi differ from region to region, as if the Holi in Mathura and Vridavana, differs from those celebrated in Manipur, West Bengal and Orissa.

[MysteRy]

Holi in Maharashtra

Holi is a colorful festival celebrated during the spring season (March), in India. It is the time, when people let their hair down and enjoy the time with fun and fervor. As the festival falls on the transition stage from chilly winters to summers, it brings in a degree of warmth and fills the air with festivity. Few days prior to the festival, people indulge in the merrymaking. They shop for new clothes and furbishes for the festival. Little children take immense pleasure in moving around the street and splashing water on the passers-by, using pichkaris.

The celebrations on Holi are not bound to the boundaries of North India. The festival is celebrated with great vigor in western parts of the country as well. The people of Maharashtra observe it in their unique and grand manner. To begin with, Holi is known as Rangapanchmi here. Unlike people in the north, the festival is celebrated five days after Phalgun Poornima. On this day, natives play with colors and drench themselves in the spirit of festivity. Bonfires, known as Holika, are burnt to symbolize the victory of good over evil. Read on to know more about Holi festival in Maharashtra.

Holi Festival In Maharashtra
During Holi, people in Maharashtra rejoice by treating themselves with mouth watering sweets and delicacies. 'Puran Poli' is the famous sweet dish, prepared on the occasion of Holi. In addition to this, people also drink sugarcane juice and feed children with watermelons. Holi is also popular amongst the fisher folk of the region. They celebrate the festival elaborately, by singing and dancing. Not to forget, the main attraction of the festival is the pot breaking sport. The sport has roots in the ancient Era of Lord Krishna.

It is celebrated to commemorate the innocence of Krishna as a child, who used to steal butter from the nearby houses in his village. The revelry of the festival reaches at its peak, when it comes to breaking the pot. Trained groups of youngsters form huge pyramids to break the pot, hung high on the streets. Restricting their access is the constant splashing of water on them, by the women folk. During the festival of Holi, you can see every street filled with people, who participate in the pot breaking sport, with much enthusiasm.

Significance
Historical significance is linked with the celebration of Holi in Maharashtra. According to the historical records, the festival was celebrated with great fanfare during the Maratha regime. It was on the festival that five-year-old Jijabhai, daughter of Lakhooji Jadhav, playfully splashed colored water and threw gulal on young Shahaji, son of Malajirao Bhowale. This gestured was considered auspicious and on the very same day, the engagement of the two children was announced. They tied the wedding knot soon. Later on, Shivaji, the founder of great Maratha Empire was born as the son of Jijabhai.

[MysteRy]

Holi in Mathura Vrindavan

Holi is one of the most important festivals in India. It is celebrated with immense zeal and fervor throughout the length and breadth of the country. Though the celebrations take place everywhere in the country with extreme enthusiasm and zeal, the celebrations of various places have regional differences. The Holi in Kolkata is different from that of Orissa; the Holi in Bihar is different from that of Haryana. In West India, the Holi is entirely different from how it is celebrated in North Eastern state of Manipur. Every celebration has its own specialty. The Holi of Mathura and Vridavan is extremely famous throughout the country.

Legend
It is said that the tradition of playing colors on Holi originated from the ‘leela’ of Radha and Krishna. As Krishna was always jealous of Radha's fair complexion, he teasingly colored Radha's face with color. In a mischievous mood, Radha also ran behind him badly annoyed and shouting. This was how the tradition of applying color came in being and is religiously followed till date. People of Mathura and Vridavan associate Holi with the divine love of Krishna and Radha.

Celebrations
According to mythological records, it is said that Mathura is actually the birth place of Lord Krishna, whereas Vrindavan is the place where he spent the early days of his childhood and left behind tales of mysticism and divinity. This explains the enigma of Mathura Vrindavan, where one can still feel the divine presence of the Lord. This is the place where Lord Krishna introduced the modern form of Holi. This is the reason that Holi is celebrated with great zeal here.

Thousands of people visit the place, in search of peace, every year. The Holi celebrations present another reason for the admirers of the Lord to assemble at Mathura Vrindavan. They come to be a part of the colorful amalgamation of festivity and divinity. The main aim behind the festival of Holi is to rejoice in the love and devotion for the Supreme Being. The color and water washes away all the man made distinctions based on caste, creed, and other differences created by the society. Holy here is spiritually enlightening.

The celebrations of the festival go on for about a week in Mathura Vrindavan. One of the unique features of the festival here is that different temples of Lord Krishna celebrate Holi on different days. It is interesting as well as amazing, to watch devotees at the Banke-Bihari Temple of Vrindavan. The environment is filled with a unique thrill, with people passionately chanting the name of Lord Krishna and Radha. Interesting celebrations also takes place at Gulal-Kund in Braj where boys mock Krishna leela on the day of Holi.

[MysteRy]

Lathmar Holi

Holi is one of the most ancient festivals in India. It was originally named as 'Holika’. It is celebrated in most of the parts of the country. The celebrations of Holi are full of immense zeal and fervor. It is also one of the most popular Indian festivals abroad. The celebrations of Holi differ from region to region, as if the Holi in Mathura and Vridavana, differs from those celebrated in Manipur, West Bengal and Orissa. It is said that the trend of colors and the modern form of Holi was introduced in Mathura and Vridavana by Lord Krishna himself and that is people of this region celebrate Holi religiously. One of the most famous kind of Holi celebrations in these areas are the ‘Lathmaar Holi’.

Lathmaar Holi is celebrated in Barsana, a small village at a distance of about 15 km from Vrindavan. It is known throughout India for its traditional Holi celebrations. No other city in the country can match the grandeur of the festival here. Barsana is actually the birth place of Lord Krishna's beloved and divine consort, Radha. This is also the place where Lord Krishna used to play pranks on his beloved and Gopis (Radha’s companion). This naughty festivity still reflects in the celebrations of Holi in this village. Holi here is regarded as the celebration of the divine love of Radha and Krishna.

According to the folklore and mythological tales, Krishna in one of his pranks, applied dark colors on the cheeks of Radha, as she was fairer than him. This initiated the tradition of celebrating Holi not only here but in the whole country. Following the tradition, men from Nandgaon, the place where Krishna spent his childhood and early days, come to play Holi with the women of Barsana. Here, women and girls welcome them not with colors, but with stout sticks.

All this takes place in pursuit of men, trying to put a flag on the temple dedicated to Radha Rani. To stop them from doing so, women beat them hard with sticks. Some of them are even made to wear saris and skirts, all in the spirit of the festival. On the other hand, men, knowing what awaits them, come fully padded, carrying shields to protect themselves. The sight of women beating men is electrifying. The environment echoes with the reverberating sound produced by the stick hammering the shields.

Lathmaar Holi is definitely an interesting Holi celebration, wherein men patiently face the charged womenfolk. This is considered the sweet revenge women take for the ancient pranks played by Lord Krishna on them. However, after all the women folk is tired and their game is over, it is now the chance for the men to reciprocate. They drench the women with the colors of kesudo (a natural dye) and palash, thereby balancing the deal. At the end of the day, the Holi celebrations at Barsana present an unforgettable life time experience, downed with the spirit of devotion and affection for the Lord.

[MysteRy]

Eco Friendly Holi

Idyllically, the festival of Holi is meant for a joyous celebration with carefree attitude. It is done in order to welcome the colors of spring. However, unfortunately the meaning of Holi has not remained the same in last few decades owing to the ruthless commercialization and origin of hazardous Holi products. So, unluckily the modern Holi does not stand for everything beautiful. In fact it has become yet another source of environmental degradation. To de-pollute Holi and rechristen in again into an environment friendly festival, a lot is required to done. In this article we have given certain ways in which you can do little foorts from your side to change the Holi in your locality into an eco friendly Holi.

Environment Friendly Holi
Holi being a social celebration is not limited to one home, so in order to convert it into an environment friendly festival, contribution is required from every family of the society. The dream of an eco friendly and non- hazardous Holi can be true only when every individual who participates in the festival, do maximum efforts from his side not to hamper the environment in any way. For this, mass level awareness of people regarding an environment friendly celebrations is required. People need to understand that if some little changes in the celebration pattern can bring worth results for the environment, how they can then shift towards the change in the social sector.

Eco Friendly Holi Tips

Judicious Use Of Water
In a situation when most of the Indian cities are facing acute water scarcity, it is obviously a matter of concern that the precious commodity like water is being wasted in such a manner during the Holi celebrations. On the day of Holi, people out of enthusiasm and fun douse each other with buckets of water and children throw water balloons at each other, thus the water that could have used for next few weeks is finished in day creating more differences in the demand and supply of water. Though, if we just people to celebrate a dry Holi only with Gulal, it would seem an alien concept to most of the people. Though this celebration would have been ideal but as most of the people would not agree to it, the judicious use of water on the day is one thing that must be kept in concern if you wish to celebrate an eco friendly Holi.

Avoid Using Chemical Colors
Earlier the Holi colors were prepared from the flowers of trees like Indian Coral Tree (parijat) and the Flame of the Forest (Kesu). However, with the arrival of dry chemical colors, people stopped taking pence for extracting the flowers colors and with time the use of chemical and aluminum paints increased during the celebrations. These chemical dyes not only prove extremely dangerous to one’s skin but are also hazardous for environment as lots of pollution is caused during its preparation as well as after their mergence with water cycle.

Eco Friendly Bonfire
The burning of fuel wood in order to perform the Holi Bonfire or the Holika Dahan presents is another factor related to Holi that raises a factor of concern. Umpteen useful fuel wood is wasted during this ritual, this not only leads to the cutting of trees but also unnecessary pollution in return. In stead of wooden logs, it would be ideal if people use this Holika Dahan for burning their waste material.

[MysteRy]

Holika Dahan

Holi is celebrated throughout the length and breadth of India with immense joy and enthusiasm. It is celebrated as the festival of the divine love of Krishna and Radha. Holi is also related with the story of Prahlad, Holika, and Hrinyakashyapa. The festival is celebrated in the Hindu month of Falgun, which falls at the end of winter season and welcome of spring and commemorates with the Mid-February to Mid- March period of the Gregorian calendar. On the occasion of Holi, Hindu community all over the world celebrates this festival with immense joy and fervor. Apart from color playing, community gathering, feast, exchange of gifts and good wishes are vital elements of Holi celebrations.

The date of Holi is decided according to the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated on the date which commemorates with the Falgun Purnima day of the Hindu calendar. The celebration begins from the eve of Holi with the ritual of Holika Dahan. Holika Dahan, or burning of demon Holika, is the vital ritual during Holi festival. On a night before Holi, people collect wooden logs and waste materials like broken furniture, clothes, etc from their home and gather it together to burn Holika. This bonfire epitomizes the victory of good over evil. It is also even termed as the cleansing ceremony before the actual Holi festival.

Holika Story
Legends say it that it that there was a time when lived a brutal King named Hiranyakashyapa. This demon king Hiranyakashyapa was very cruel and thus forcefully suppressed all this subjects and make them his devotees. He tried to eliminate the existence of God from the earth and establish his own supremacy everywhere. All the citizens of his kingdom were forced to pray to Hiranyakashyapa and not to Vishnu. However his own son, Prahalad, the little never abided by his Kingdoms rule. He tried every way to stop Prahalad from worshipping Vishnu but the little devotee never stopped praying his almighty.

Out of frustration and anger, the demon king then decided to kill his son. Despite all his efforts, Prahalad remained safe by the blessings of Lord Vishnu. Finally, the Hiranyakashyapa decided to take help of his cruel sister Holika. Holika was blessed with a drape which protected her from burning into fire. As per the plan made by the brother and sister, the demon princess Holika sat with young Prahalad in a huge bowl of fire wearing the drape over her body. But this time, due to heavy wind the drape came over young Prahalada, saving him from burning and as a result Holika was burnt in fire and thus died on the spot. This incident thus reestablished the faith of people in the ultimate divine power and is thus celebrated as the day of eternal love, devotion, blessings and the victory of Good over evil.

[MysteRy]

Holi Mela

The festival of Holi brings immense joy and fervor all over the country. Though it is celebrated in a different way at different places, the enthusiasm of Holi festival remains the same throughout the country. At some places in the country and abroad, a Holi fair is organized few days before the actual celebrations in order to infuse the feeling of festivity in the people of the surroundings. If the Holi fairs take places in the country, it becomes a major attraction for the foreign tourists who visit the country in this season. They are completely mesmerized by the aesthetic beauty of the festival as well as its celebrations.

Holi Festival Mela
Holi Mela is a perfect option for people who those who want to spend Holi in a different and more colorful way. As Holi is the occasion, color is the universal theme of the fair. The entire Mela is full of variety of colors and the atmosphere full of the exciting of aroma of these colors. Even the shopkeepers who install stalls color their face with various colors in order to enhance the spirit of the festival. The mini world inside the fair seems to be colored in the feelings of enjoyment, fun, thrill and zest.

Different stalls are lined up at the fair and most of them are based on the theme of Holi. Stalls of food selling Gujiya and Thandai receive maximum crowd. There are also stalls selling gulal, abeer, herbal colors, pichkari, balloons and all the things related to Holi. There are also stalls selling dresses and chuni that one can wear on Holi. Dresses of ‘chicken work’ are extremely in-demand at these Holi fair stalls. Apart from this, shops of junk and artificial jewelry also pull a lot of crowd on the eve of Holi. Shops of handicraft items are pull maximum foreigners who can’t resist buying wonderful Indian handicrafts.

Apart from all these, the one thing that draws maximum attention is the folk artist performances on the occasion. Artists from all over the country participate in Holi fairs organized at different places. They tell wonderful folklores related to the occasion and also, sing traditional songs and perform folk dances of the area. This makes Holi fair interesting for those people also who look beyond the hullabaloo on this occasion. Holi fairs are becoming quite popular gradually and as it seems, it will soon become a vital element of the Holi celebrations in the country.

Holi Fairs in India and Abroad
Holi fairs are more popular in villages than they are in cities and abroad more than in India. There are several reasons to it. In villages, it is popular because fairs are the popular source of enjoyment in villages. People there have time and they take keen interest in organizing the fair as unlike cities they do not have discos and hangout places on regular occasions. So, fairs at the time of festivals become an important source of entertainment and zone of enjoyment for them. The fairs are popular in abroad because there it is done in order to enhance the gathering of Hindu community to make the festival more interesting and enjoyable. Other than celebrating the festival with handful of people in their society, they prefer to book some place where they organize fair and celebrate the festival.

[MysteRy]

Holi Rituals

Holi is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm throughout the country. The wave of joy and verve fills the entire atmosphere. Not only the season starts draping a colorful and floral spirit of spring but the enthusiasm of the people towards this festival also brings colorfulness to the life of every creature in the atmosphere. The preparation of the festival also begins months before the actual celebrations and by the time of its arrival, the aroma of scrumptious dishes arouses the completely festive side of an individual. Though the festival is being celebrated in the country since time immemorial, it is waited every year with a new zeal and fervor. After all this is the only Indian festival with lots of scope for hullabaloo and enjoyment of the hidden crazy self.

Holi Rituals
Though the festival is a completely enjoyable and ‘happy go lucky’ kind of festival, it is the rituals of the festival that give a completely new definition to it. As the festival is being celebrated here since time immemorial, the rituals are also being practiced since then. These rituals are the reflection of the eternal spirit of Holi celebrations. These rituals remind people of the eternal Holi messages and commemorate the culture and traditions that have been defined by our ancestors. These rituals are religiously followed every year with care and enthusiasm throughout the country.

Customs & Tradition
Days before the actual festival begins, people start preparing for various rituals and customs. The gathering of wooden logs at the intersection points of two roads (choraha) and the preparation of scrumptious snacks recipes at the home all form vital part of the Holi rituals, which we have discussed in detail below. Though the rituals may vary a little from place to place, over all spirit of the festival remains the same every where.

Holika Dahan Celebrations
At the eve of Holi, the ritual of Holika Dahan takes place. It is actually the burning of the effigy of the devil sister of demon King Hiranyakashyap who tried to kill the devotee of Lord Vishnu, Hiranyakashyap's son Prahlad. Theis ritual marks the beginning of holi celebrations. This also symbolizes the victory of good over evil and also the victory of a true devotee. It is also known as Holi Bonfire.

Play of Colors
On the day of Holi, there is no ritual of Puja ceremony in the morning. However, the lot of enthusiasm and fun as very early in the morning the color play begins in the surroundings. People enthusiastically drench each other into water and colors. Some people also use color filled balloons and sprayers on the occasion to spray colors on others.

Matka Ceremony
In Mathura and Vridavana as well as the area near them, there is a unique ceremony called Matka ceremony. Though this ceremony was earlier exclusive of the Braj area, thanks to Bollywood it has become a trend all over the country. In the Matka ceremony, a big earthen pot of butter milk is tied at an unreachable height and then boys form human pyramid to reach up to the pot and break it. The women of the society then make ropes out of their sari and hit these guys from the roof top so that they become unsuccessful in their attempt. Along with this goes simultaneous color play and teasing.

Holi Procession
Holi Procession is taken out in most of the Indian states on the occasion of Holi. In this procession, guys who are badly drenched in colors roam around their colonies and stop to sing Holi songs at every house. They are then gifted Gujiya and Thandai at each door and the procession thus move forward to other places.

[MysteRy]

When is Holi

The festival of colors, Holi marks the beginning of the spring season and is celebrated with much fun and fervor by Hindus across India and the world. This bright and lively festival commemorates the triumph of good over evil that was brought by burning and destructing the demoness called Holika by the young Prahlad, a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu. Considered to be the most colorful festival, Holi is commemorated by throwing colors and colored powder on family members, friends and loved ones. Bonfires are lit a day before Holi to mark the annihilation of Holika. Colors are played and squirted on the next day using pichkaris. The Holi festival is also a commemoration of the end of the winter season and the start of the harvest period. Nonetheless, Holi is celebrated on a different date every year depending upon the appearance of the moon. Check out the date of Holi in the following lines.

Holi Date
Holi falls in the lunar month of Phalguna according to the Hindu calendar. This date corresponds in the months of February or March as per the Gregorian calendar. It is marked on the last full moon day (Phalgun Purnima). The festival of Holi is a celebration of unity and brotherhood wherein festivities are observed with high spirits irrespective of caste, creed, color, race, status or sex. The main day of the festival is known as Holi, also referred to as Dhuli Vandana in Sanskrit, or Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi. This is observed by throwing and smearing colored powder on one another. The day before Holi is known as Holika Dahan, or Chhoti Holi, which means ‘burning of Holika’. This takes places on the night before Holi.

This is marked by lighting bonfires signifying the destruction of the demoness Holika. The demon-king Hiranyakashipu asked his sister Holika to carry his young son Prahlad in a blazing fire to end Prahlad’s devotion towards Lord Vishnu. Holika had a boon to escape unburnt even from fire. However, this boon ended as soon as Holika entered the fire and burnt into ashes while Prahlad came out unharmed. Hence, people light bonfires to mark the victory of goodness over evil on Holika Dahan. The next day brings in a lot of fun play with colors. Red, green, blue, yellow, black, and silver, all mix up in the festivity of unity highlighting the essence of the occasion.

Holi 2012
Holika Dahan will be celebrated on 07 March.
Holi will be celebrated on 08 March.

[MysteRy]

Janmashtami Celebrations

Janmashtami festival is celebrated with great zeal by Hindus all over India. The festival, which falls on the eighth day (Ashtami) of Savan month, marks the birth of Lord Krishna, one of the favorite deities of Hindus. Lord Krishna was born under extraordinary circumstances on the day. People enjoy in the merrymaking at the midnight of ashtami, by singing devotional songs and dancing to the tune of bhajans. Apart from honoring the day with a special puja, people relish on lip smacking delicacies that are prepared especially for the festival. Cultural programs are also part of the celebrations.

Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations
Janmashtami is a two-day celebration in many parts of India. The first two days are celebrated colorfully and the merrymaking reaches its peak at midnight of the first day, when Lord Krishna was born. To mark the birth of the deity, the idol of the infant Krishna is bathed and is cradled in the midnight time. Conch shell is blown and the devotees celebrate the birth of the Lord Krishna by singing devotional songs and by dancing with great joy. Thereafter, mouthwatering sweets and dishes are served to the devotees.

Lord Krishna temples situated at Vrindhavan, Mathura, Dwaraka are the most popular for the celebrations of Janmashtami, as it is believed that Lord Krishna lived there. In some part of the North India, Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated for three days. The first two days are celebrated in a colorful manner. Dance drama, known as Raslila, is performed. Incidents from Sri Krishna's life, especially his childhood, are depicted in the drama. On the second day of the festival, a popular ceremony known as 'Dahi Handi' takes place wherein the pot containing curd or butter or milk is broken by the youth.

The ritual of Dahi Handi is carried out with religious observance, in the northern parts of India. Maharashtra is especially popular for the ritual, wherein human pyramid tries to break the Handi (earthen pot filled with buttermilk) that is suspended from top, with the help of a rope. Onlookers throw water on the pyramid of boys in order to stop them from reaching the earthen pot. The process involves a lot of excitement. During Janmashtami, every other street of Mumbai organizes the Dahi Handi, as a part of the celebrations of the festival.

Various kinds of sweets are prepared to offer Lord Krishna on Janmashtami. Murukku and Vella Seedai are the specialties of Tamil Nadu, while in Kerala, people relish on Paal Payasam (Milk Kheer) and Neyyappam. Mathura is popular for Peda (sweet made of khoya - dried milk food). Milk and curd are the key ingredients of most of the recipes made for the festival. Apart from this, Shrikhand (Sweet Golden Yogurt), Singhade Ki Poori, and Gulabjamun are prepared for the festival.

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Janmashtami Customs

Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great fun and fervor throughout the country. This day not simply signifies the birth of the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu but also the birth of a divine teacher who invoked the entire mankind with the divine knowledge and power. Thus, Janmashtami apart from its ritualistic celebrations also holds an eternal meaning to it. This festival is celebrated in various parts of the country though the customs and rituals vary from place to place. However, there are certain universal customs that are followed throughout the length and breadth of country.

Krishna Janmashtami Rituals & Traditions

Fasting
The most common and essential ritual followed on the day of Janmashtami is the fasting by devotees. Most of Lord Krsihna’s devotees fast for on this day and open the fast at midnight when it is assumed that Lord Krishna has been born. At the time of midnight also, the people who have observed fast whole day prefer to have only milk and milk products as they are considered auspicious as well pure. Some of the ardent devotees of Krishna observe the fat for the entire day even without consuming water- it is called ‘Nirjal Vrat’. There are other devotees who observe two day fast in the honor of Lord Krishna.

Chanting
It is said that chanting Lord Krishna’s name with entire devotion brings immense joy and pleasure in the life of the devotee. So, on the birthday of Lord Krishna, devotees indulge in continuous chanting of Krishna’s name for the entire day. They chant sholkas, mantras, richas from the Veda. They also read Bhagwat Geeta and sing bhajans in the name of Krishna. It is said that chanting 108 names of Lord Krishna brings auspiciousness in one’s life.

Devotional Songs & Dances
Bhajans are a vital custom of the Janmashtami celebrations. Devotees sing and dance with fervor in the name of Lord Krishna. In many temples of Mathura and Vridavana, you will find devotees mesmerized and overwhelmed with their love and devotion for Shri Krishna. In the midnight celebration, people gather at a place and sing several kinds of bhajans to highlight his feats and his divine characteristics.

Plays On Lord Krishna
Very much like the Ramleela, devotees of Lord Krishna organize plays on the life of Lord Krishna called Krishnaleela. In these plays organized by professional as well as amateur artists, several important deeds and legends associated with Lord Krishna are staged.

Offering Sweets
It is known to everybody that Lord Krishna was extremely fond of sweets and dairy products. So on the day of Krishnashtami, devotees of Lord Krishna prepare umpteen varieties of sweets and dairy products and offer them to the idols of Krishna. This ritual is called ‘bhog’. Later, these sweets are distributed amongst the devotees as ‘ Prasada’.

Swings
At many places in the country, devotees tie swings on the trees and take rides on that. It is said that taking a swing ride on the occasion of Janmashtami is considered auspicious. This ritual is extremely popular in the rural parts of the country.

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Janmashtami In Vrindavan

Janmashtami is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna, who is considered the savior of humanity. The deity is worshipped for his extraordinary powers and unique charm. Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, took birth in the Dwapar Yug at the captivity of the demon King Kansa. According to the legends, Lord Krishna was born as the son of Devki (Kansa's sister) and Vasudev. Krishna was destined to kill Kansa and other demons and restore peace in the world. Born in Mathura, Krishna was brought up in Gokul, as the son of Nand and Yashoda. The small child was lovable brat, who wandered around with Gopis of the little town of Gokul. He spent his formative years in Vrindavan.

Krishna Janmashtami In Vrindavan
Vrindavan is one of the famous places of pilgrimage in North India. Located 15 km away from Mathura (the birthplace of Lord Krishna), Vrindavan is at its best on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami. The place is location for as many as 5000 Hindu temples, both ancient and modern. The holy town of Vrindavan is situated along the banks of River Yamuna. It is significance in the history of Janmashtami, because Lord Krishna performed the rasleelas with his beloved Gopis at the place. On the auspicious occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, Vrindavan is filled with devotees who visit the place from the nook and corner of India, to offer prayers to their lovable deity - Lord Krishna.

The sound of bhajans and mantras echoes in vrindavan, on the festive occasion of Janmashtami. There, people start celebrating some seven to ten days prior to the exact date of the festival, because such is the influence of the place. Various plays are staged at different places in the town. Professional artists are called upon to give their best performance on the festive season, so that they are showered the blessings of Lord Krishna. Excerpts from the story of Janmashtami are depicted in the dramas, which are conducted all through the festive season.

Some of the important temples of Vrindavan, which are visited during Janmashtami, include Banke Bihari Temple, Rangnathji Temple, Shri krishna Balram Temple, Radharaman Temple and ISCKON Temple. The timings are fixed for various ceremonies and pujas that are conducted all through the day, in the temples on the occasion of Janmashtami. One of the important rituals of the temples is Abhishek (holy bath) during which darshans are open for the devotees. Most of the devotees who visit the temples to seek the blessings of Lord Krishna would have kept fast for the entire day and would break it only at the midnight, after the special Janmashtami puja.

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Krishna Rasa Leela

Lord Krishna is one of the favorite deities of Hindus. He is worshipped for his immense power, captivating appearance, unique charm and playfulness. For some, he is the hero, a lover or the guide; while for others, he is a child. He resides in the heart of every devotee and fulfills everyone's wish, if he is worshipped with in-depth devotion. Janmashtami is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Krishna. It falls on the eighth day of Sravana month (August-September according to the Gregorian calendar).

The celebrations of Janmashtami are marked by cultural programs, chanting of bhajans and special pujas. Dance drama is performed by professional artists, or chosen kids, wherein the formative years of Lord Krishna's life are depicted. The dance, which is known as Shri Krishna Rasa leela, is one of the significant parts of the celebrations, as the decisive part of life was spent by Lord Krishna, amidst the Gopis in Vrindavan.

Shri Krishna Raslila

Legend
Raslila is a significant phase in the life of Lord Krishna, when he grew up from a child to a young teen. Before setting his trail to Mathura, in order to accomplish the task of his life (to kill his uncle, Kansa), he grew up by playing around with Gopis on the banks of River Yamuna, in Vrindavan. He was immensely loved by the Gopis due to his adorable mischief. The divine love for Lord Krishna was so strong that the Gopis forgot about the rest of the world, when they were playing and dancing with him. The Gopis performed constant smaran (remembrance) of Lord Krishna and were beloved by himself.

Performance
The Gopis would dance around with Lord Krishna and often play hide and seek. They would also sing songs in the glory of the deity. They considered themselves superior of other women, because they were privileged with the opportunity to dance with Lord Krishna. To teach the lesson of humility, Shri Krishna would hide himself during Raslila and would reappear only if Gopis plead to come back. While most of the time Shri Krishna stood at the center of all the Gopis, he would at times join hands with them and perform mesmerizing dance. All these delightful actions were often witnessed by the demigods like Gandharva, Yakshas and they would throw flowers from the sky, to shower blessings on the Gopis and the divine Shri Krishna.

Rasa Leela On Janmashtami
On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, the devotees of Lord Krishna would enjoy the scenes of Rasa leela performed by professional artists. Generally, Brahmin boys aged between 10 and 13 years are selected to enact as Lord Krishna in Raslila. The main theme of the dance drama revolves around the formative years of Lord Krishna. Apart from Raslila, other themes are also chosen for the performance. These may include Janamleela (the birth of Lord Krishna), Shanklarleela, Putanaleela (the assassination of the demon Putana) and Nagleela (the killing of serpent Kaliya). The troupes perform the dance drama with utmost devotion. In fact, Shri Krishna Rasa leela is one of the main forms of entertainment on Janmashtami.

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Janmashtami Rangoli

One of the most popular art forms in India, rangoli (kolam) is drawn at the entranceway in most of the Hindu festivals, because it is considered auspicious. On the ceremonious occasion of Janmashtami, people draw rangoli at their entranceway, to welcome Lord Krishna, as the festival commemorates his birth. The art form is a kind of decorative motif, which can be made by using finely ground white powder, colors or even flowers. On Janmashtami, people prefer adorning their verandah with alpana (another name of rangoli) with colors or chalk. In south India, kolam is usually drawn using rice flour.

Rangoli Designs
The designs chosen for a traditional Rangoli are usually derived from nature, because the practice of making designs of the art form is ancient. Some of the most popular Rangoli motifs are peacocks, swans, mango, flowers, creepers, etc. Traditionally, the natural dyes derived form barks of trees and leaves were used for rangoli. However, in the modern age, people make use of synthetic colors for the rangoli. Today, colors, rice flour, turmeric powder and red vermilion are used to draw the rangoli motifs. Depending upon the preference, people choose to draw either huge motifs or simple designs, at their doorsteps.

How Is Rangoli Made
It is interesting to see people in south India to make use of rice flour to make simple as well as intricate kolams. On the wonderful occasion of Janmashtami, they would make sure that lord Krishna is welcomed at the best possible way. To serve the purpose, people clean their house, wash the entranceway and make kolam. Rice flour is used to make kolam. A particular design is considered in mind, before drawing the design. Then, the image is begun from a dot (the starting point). Usually, geometrical shapes such as oval, triangle, hexagon, pentagon etc are used to make kolam. With the increasing expertise, images of peacock and animals can be easily drawn.

Significance Of Rangoli
Rangoli or kolam forms a significant part of Janmashtami. This is because on the day, Lord Krishna is expected to visit the homes, which are kept neat and beautifully decorated. Since the devotees of lord Krishna expect his visit, they scrub-clean their house and premises, decorate the place with festoons and draw his footsteps, using rice flour, at the entranceway. The footsteps are considered complete, only when they are complemented by a beautiful kolam. This is the reason why on the occasion of Janmashtami, people draw kolam at their entranceway. Moreover, rangoli is considered auspicious for any Hindu festival. All the decorations are given a finishing touch by beautiful rangoli motifs.