Holi, also known as the "Festival of Colors" or the "Festival of Love," is a vibrant and joyful celebration that is observed by Hindus all around the world.

This festival is widely celebrated in India and Nepal, and has recently gained popularity in other parts of the world as well.

The festival of Holi is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Phalguna, which falls in late February or early March. As for 2023, it arrived on March 8th.

This festival marks the arrival of spring and the end of the winter season.

Holi is a two-day festival, with the first day known as Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi and the second day known as Rangwali Holi or Dhulandi.

The origins

The story behind the festival of Holi dates back to Hindu mythology.

According to legends, there was a king named Hiranyakashipu who was a demon and considered himself invincible.

He wanted everyone to worship him and refused to let his son Prahlada, who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu, worship any other god.

When Prahlada refused to obey his father, Hiranyakashipu tried to kill him in many ways, but Lord Vishnu saved him each time.

Finally, the demon king's sister Holika, who had a boon of not being burnt by fire, tried to kill Prahlada by taking him into the fire.

However, Holika's boon failed and she was burnt to ashes while Prahlada remained unharmed.

This is why Holika Dahan is celebrated the night before Holi, where a bonfire is lit to signify the triumph of good over evil.

On the day of Rangwali Holi, people come out of their homes and smeared each other with colored powder and water.

It is a time of merrymaking and joy, where people forget their differences and come together to celebrate.

People also visit their friends and family to exchange sweets and greetings. The colors used during Holi have their own significance.

Red signifies love and fertility, yellow symbolizes turmeric and the earth, green represents spring and new beginnings, while blue represents the Hindu god Krishna.

Apart from playing with colors, people also indulge in traditional Holi delicacies such as gujiya, mathri, dahi bhalla, and thandai.

Thandai is a refreshing drink made with milk, nuts, and spices such as cardamom and saffron.

It is also laced with bhang, a derivative of cannabis that is legal in some parts of India.

Bhang is known to have mild psychoactive effects and is used in moderation during Holi celebrations.

Holi is not just a festival of colors but also a festival of unity and harmony.

It is a time to forget past grudges and come together to celebrate life.

The festival has transcended borders and is now celebrated by people of all religions and nationalities around the world.

Holi is not just about playing with colors but also about spreading love, happiness, and positivity.

In recent times, there has been a growing concern about the environmental impact of the festival.

Many commercial colors contain harmful chemicals and are not biodegradable, leading to pollution and health hazards.

To combat this, people are now opting for natural and eco-friendly colors made from flowers and herbs.

Also, many organizations are promoting the use of organic colors and discouraging the use of water balloons and plastic bags.

In conclusion, Holi is a joyous and colorful festival that celebrates the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil.

It is a time to forget differences and come together to celebrate life.

As we celebrate this festival, let us also remember to be mindful of our actions and the impact they have on the environment. Happy Holi!

Our wish for you…

Wishing you a very Happy Holi filled with brightness from the Delhi Institute of Digital Marketing team. Our sincere wishes for you are that you will triumph over the evil on this auspicious day and rise to new heights.