Holi is a festival of colors, brotherhood, integrity and prosperity. The festival seems to have started several centuries before Christ as can inferred from its mentions in the religious work of Jaimini’s Purvamimamsa-Sutras and Kathaka- Grhya-Sutra. Since then the festival is celebrated around the globe at its heights. 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. Like all Indian and Hindu festivals, Holi is inextricably linked to mythical tales. Some of them are:
- The Holika-Hiranyakashipu-Prahlad episode,
- Lord Shiva’s killing of Kamadeva,
- The story of the ogress Dhundhi, and
- The Radha Krishna legend.
The Holika-Hiranyakashipu-Prahlad episode:
The legend drives its name from Holika, the sister of megalomaniac king Hiranyakashipu who cpmmanded everyone to worship him, instead his little son Prahlad became a devotee of Lord Vishnu. The ordered is sister to kill his son who has got the power to walk through the fire unharmed, she picked up the child and walked in. However it was said that Prahal was saved by Lord Vishnu and Holika was burnt to ashes.
Radha-Krishna Episode:
Another very famous tale related to the festival of colors. It was said that often Lord Krishna often used to complain her mother, why Radha is so air I color? Once her mother replied that apply the color on Radha’s face and see how complexion changes. Lord Krishna used to play pranks with from which throughing color powder is most common. Since then to memorize the immortal love of Lord Krishna and Radha the festival of colors is celebrated.
Holi in Mewar:
From the time of Maharana Fateh Singh the practice of ‘holika dahan’ is performed in the city of lakes. A dry semal tree is digged few days before. In the beginning the ‘holika-dahan’ was performed only at city palace and ‘badi-holi’ an area in the narrow streets of Udaipur. But with the passage of time and the expansion of the city ‘holika-dahan’ is performed in almost every street of the city. Now a days the famous one is that of Jagdish Chowk followed by cultural events where one can see the large crowed on people no matter from what religion they are. Everyone is gathered for a common cause i.e. to celebrate the victory of good over bad, truth over lie.
The next day of holika dahan is dulhandi on which people without any age boundation used to play with colors such as abeer, gulal etc. around the city. One can find groups playing with colors, splitting water or throwing water balloons and saying don’t mind, its holi (hindi: bura na mano, holi hai.) The festival is celebrated in the city with immense joy without any caste and creed discrimination. The UB team at last wishes you a very happy holi.
Some Pictures Of Around the City Udaipur:
Video Of Holi Dahan @ Jagdish Chowk By Vishrut Joshi