There is a symbolic
legend to explain why holi is celebrated. The word "Holi" originates
from "Holika", the evil sister of demon king Hiranyakashipu. King Hiranyakashipu had earned a boon that made him virtually
indestructible. The special powers blinded him, he grew arrogant, felt he was
God, and demanded that everyone worship only him.
Hiranyakashipu's
own son, Prahlada, however, disagreed.
He was and remained devoted to Vishnu. This infuriated
Hiranyakashipu. He subjected Prahlada to cruel punishments, none of which
affected the boy or his resolve to do what he thought was right. Finally,
Holika - Prahlada's evil aunt - tricked him into sitting on a pyre with her.
Holika was wearing a cloak (shawl)
that made her immune to injury from fire, while Prahlada was not. As the fire
roared, the cloak flew from Holika and encased Prahlada. Holika burned,
Prahlada survived. Vishnu appeared and killed Hiranyakashipu. The bonfire is a
reminder of the symbolic victory of good over evil, of Prahlada over
Hiranyakashipu, of fire that burned Holika. The day after Holika
bonfire is celebrated as Holi.
In
Braj region of India,
where Krishna grew up, the
festival is celebrated for 16 days (until Rangpanchmi) in commemoration of the
divine love of Radha for Krishna, a Hindu
deity. The festivities officially usher in spring, with Holi celebrated as
festival of love.There is a symbolic myth behind commemorating Krishna as well.
Baby Krishna transitioned into his characteristic dark blue skin colour because
a she demon Putana poisoned him with her breast milk. In his youth,
Krishna despairs whether fair skinned Radha and other Gopikas (girls)
will like him because of his skin colour. His mother, tired of the desperation,
asks him to approach Radha and colour her face in any colour he wanted. This he
does, and Radha and Krishna became a couple. The playful colouring of the face
of Radha has henceforth been commemorated as Holi. Beyond India,
these legends to explain the significance of Holi (Phagwah) are common
in some Caribbean and South American communities of Indian origin such as Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.
Holi
festival has other cultural significance. It is the festive day to end and rid
oneself of past errors, end conflicts by meeting others, a day to forget and
forgive. People pay or forgive debts, as well as deal anew with those in their
lives. Holi also marks the start of spring, and for many the start of new year.
