Holi highlights

Every festival, or utsav, is a cultural means of sustaining and strengthening people8217;s zeal and zest utsah for life and dharma. Holi ...

Every festival, or utsav, is a cultural means of sustaining and strengthening people8217;s zeal and zest utsah for life and dharma. Holi happens to be the most joyous occasion of fun, frolic, fertility and love that cuts across social, cultural, religious, political, national, age and gender barriers. The spirit of spring finds its youthful expression when people go wild throwing colours and water at each other in playful mischief.

The festival assumes its true colour in Mathura and Vrindavan where it is played in memory of Lord Krishna8217;s dalliance with Radha and other gopis of Gokul. People throng Radhe-Krishna temples here and throw colour not just at each other but on the idols of their beloved deities, for as described in Brahma Puran, by beholding Lord Krishna8217;s idol on a swing on the day of Holi, they will gain access to Krishna8217;s celestial kingdom, Vaikunth.

The Vishnu Puran contains the famous story of Bhakt Prahlad whose atheist father Hiranyakashyap tried to kill him for his devotion to Lord Vishnu. Prahlad8217;s aunt, Holika, invincible by fire, took him on her lap into a bonfire, but he came out unscathed while she burnt to ashes for misusing her boon of invincibility. Hence the term 8216;Holi8217; and the ceremonial bonfire.

The day of Holi on Phalgun Purnima full moon day is observed in many forms as the start of Sambat first day in the Hindu calendar year. It is symbolic of burning away the old and worn-out and heralding the new Sambat Year.

Over time Holi has become synonymous not only with 8216;Mal Utsav8217; Smearing Festival but with Holika burning in which besides dry sticks and cowdung corn seeds are burnt to the point of losing their power of germination. All these cultural ceremonies and practices associated with Holi hold an essential message, that is to let bygones be bygones, to bury old hatchets and to start afresh and anew in the spirit of spring towards building better lives, relationships and societies.

Mere physical vision of Shri Krishna8217;s idol cannot grant the onlooker a place in Vaikunth as has been said in Brahma Puran; but by contemplating and concentrating on God8217;s true incorporeal image and by cultivating the godly philosophy darshan and Lord Krishna8217;s qualities of contentment, cheerfulness, courage, compassion, universal outlook, love, purity and detachment, an aspirant can expect to end inner impurities and negativities and to attain true peace, balance and bliss in life.

Thus, when the spirit of Holi pervades our entire life not just for a day but for ever, it will give us a new lease of holy, healthy, harmonious, virtuous and happy life.