HOLI – A FESTIVAL OF UNITY IN DIVERSITY

The story of Bhakt Prahalad

According to Narad Purana, once there was a king of the Asuras named Hiranyakashyap. He wanted to avenge (pratishodh) the death of his younger brother, who had been killed by God Vishnu, for his terror activities towards Gods, Goddess and Hermits (rishi, munis). He told his soldiers to crush all those who worship God Vishnu, but the Gods came to their Protection.

Hiranyakashyap thought to himself, "I will have to match my powers to God Vishnu to rule over the three worlds i.e. the Earth (Prithvilok), the Heaven (Devlok) and the Underground (Patallok)". So he began to perform intense penance (tapashya) and prayers. 

While Hiranyakashyap was performing the penance, Gods destroyed his kingdom and his palace. Hiranyakashyap's wife, who was expecting a child, was sent by the Gods to Narada's hermitage (aashram). In the aashram, she learned about the glory of God Vishnu from the great sage, Narada. The child within her, who was latter known as Prahlad, too, absorbed all this knowledge. 

Meanwhile, Hiranyakashyap's austerities (kthorta) pleased God Brahma, who said "Arise Hiranyakashyap and ask a boon". Hiranyakashyap said “I wish that my death be not caused by Man or Beast (animal), with a Weapon or without a Weapon, during Day or Night, Indoor or Outdoor, on Earth or in the Sky. Grant me the undisputed Lordship over the Material world.” God Brahma granted Hiranyakashyap with the boon desired.

Hiranyakashyap brought his wife back to his kingdom, where his son, Prahlad was born. Hiranyakashyap, with his new powers renewed his hostilities (satruta) against God Vishnu and His followers. He declared, "There is non stronger than me. I am the lord of the three worlds. I shall be worshipped as such".

As the time passed, Prahlad, who was the delight of his father Hiranyakashyap, was growing up. The responsibility of his education was bestowed on the shoulders of a renowned guru, who was especially instructed to keep Prahlad away from the knowledge and influence of God Vishnu. After many months, his guru said, "Prahlad, I think you are now ready to meet your father." 

When Prahlad went to meet his father, his father asked him: "You have been with your guru a long time! What have you learnt? ". Prahlad replied, "I have learnt that the most worthwhile occupation for anyone is the worship of God Vishnu". Hiranaykashyap was very angry and said, "O cursed child! Who taught you such perverse (bhrast) things?" Prahlad remained calm and replied, "God Vishnu. He reveals Himself to all who are devoted to Him." Hiranyakashyap shouted angrily, "This boy must not live! Take him away and kill him! Kill this vilest (charitra-bhrast) enemy disguised as my son. Poison him or attack him when he sleeps but kill him!" 

The soldiers attacked Prahlad, when he was meditating on God Vishnu, but their weapons could not touch Prahlad. Most deadly snakes were let loose on Prahlad, but their fangs turned powerless. Mighty elephants could not trample him. Prahlad was pushed off from a high hill, but he was unharmed. He was fed with deadly poisons, but it turned into nectar in his mouth. In desperation, Hiranyakashyap asked the favour of his sister Holika, who because of a boon could not be harmed by fire. They planned that Prahalad would be burned to death in a blazing fire. A pyre (Chita) was lit up and Holika sat on it, clutching Prahalad on her lap. Yet, at the end Prahalad emerged unharmed by the fire, whereas Holika was burned to ashes. 

Prahlad was again sent to his guru. This time the teacher tried to get Prahlad interested in means for acquiring wealth and physical pleasures. But Prahlad thought to himself, "How can the pursuits of physical pleasures and wealth bring happiness? It will only lead to envy and anger". At last the guru gave up. 

One day when Prahlad told his father that God Vishnu is the Soul of all created things and is present everywhere. Hiranyakashyap roared, "Where is Vishnu? If he is everywhere, why is He not in this pillar? If He is not there then I shall cut off your head with my sword. Let your God Vishnu protect you." As Hiranyakashyap was striking the pillar with his sword, God Vishnu, in the form of Nara-Simha (Nara=Man, Simha=Lion) emerged from the pillar. His Look was neither of Beast nor of Man and it the twilight hour (sandhya), neither day nor night. Narsimha caught Hiranyakashyap and carried him to the threshold (entry-door) of the Court- Room, which was neither Indoor nor Outdoor and while holding him on His lap, which was neither on the earth nor in the sky, killed him. Prahlad was installed on the Throne and he ruled wisely and well for many years.

The theme of the legend is that Holika had to pay the price of her sinister desire by her life; however she was not aware that the boon worked only when she enters the fire alone. Bhakt Prahlad, who kept chanting the name of God Vishnu all this while, came out unharmed, as God blessed him for his extreme devotion. Thus, Holi derives its name from Holika and is celebrated as a festival of victory of good over evil and also the triumph of devotion. 

Other legends related to Holi

1. The Holi of Braj is famous all over India for its intimate connection with the divine deities, prangs and their love plays. It is said that when Krishna was a young boy, he asked the reason for his dark complexion and fairness of Radha. His mother Yashoda playfully suggested that he should smear colour on Radha's face and change her complexion to any colour he wanted. Captivated by the idea, Krishna proceeded to do so and thus, introduced the play of colours on Holi.
2. Another legend mentioned in the 'Bhavishya Purana' is also considered to be related to the festival of Holi. The legend goes back to the kingdom of Raghu, where lived an ogress (nar-bhakshi) called Dhundhi who used to trouble children but was finally chased away by them on the day of Holi. This is said to be the reason why the tradition of Holika-Dahan is so popular amongst children and why they are allowed to play pranks on the day.
3. There are a few other legends associated with the festival - like the legend of Shiva and Kaamadeva, and the legend of Pootana. All depict triumph of good over evil - lending a philosophy to the festival.

Other Facts

• Holikotsav finds a mention in the Vedas and Puranas. It is stated that during the Vedic period the sacred fire of Holi was burnt amidst the chanting of specific mantras which were intended for the destruction of the demonic forces. Some scholars believe that Holikotsav is named after fried cereals or parched grains called 'Holka' in Sanskrit. These parched grains were used to perform ‘hawana’ (a fire ritual).The vibhuti (sacred ashes) obtained from this ritual was smeared on the forehead of those who participated in the ritual to keep away evil. This vibhuti is called ‘Bhumi Hari’. Till date there is a tradition of offering wheat and oat into the Holika fire
• Rabindranath Tagore, the famous saint-poet and the Indian Noble laureate, revived the spirit of Holi in state of Bengal as the ‘Spring Festival’ or ‘Vasant Utsav’ at Shanti Niketan. The students of Vishwa Bharati University dress in yellow-colored dresses on this day and celebrate Holi by performing special cultural programmes such as group choreography, songs (composed by Gurudev) and dances. They welcome the spring by staging various aspects of this joyous festival in an artistic manner. Later, all the students and teachers play Holi with 'gulal' and smear each other's faces with red, yellows and green colours. In other parts of Bengal, Holi is celebrated as Dol Yatra where the idols of Radha and Krishna are placed on a decorated palanquin (palki) and taken out in a procession
• In some parts of India, especially in Bengal and Orissa, Holi Purnima is also celebrated as the birthday of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the famous saint-poet. 
• In Phalen, a region in Braj, a huge bonfire is lit on the full moon night to commemorate the victory of good over evil and the Prahlad-Holika episode is re-enacted. However, the most interesting fact is that the local priests walk through the lighted fire and come out unscathed! 
• Barsana, a region in Braj, is famous for the 'latthmaar holi'. Here, women of Barsana give a tough time to men of Nandgaon as they come to play Holi with them. Women drag the unlucky captives, beat them, dress them in a female attire - yet all is in the spirit of Holi.
• Women of Haryana, specifically the bhabhis too get an upper hand on the day as they get a social sanction to beat their devars (brother-in-law) and take a sweet revenge for all the mischief they have played on them. This revengeful tradition is called the Dulandi Holi.
• The most enjoyable tradition of Holi, of course, apart from the play of colours is the tradition of breaking the pot. It is celebrated with much fun fair in the states of North India, Haryana, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Here a pot of buttermilk is hung high on the streets. Men form a huge human pyramid and one on the top breaks the pot with his head. All this while women keep singing Holi folk songs and throwing buckets of water. The tradition has its roots in the mischievous nature of Lord Krishna who was so fond of butter milk that he used to steal it from every accessible house in the village. To hide the butter from young Krishna, womenfolk used to hang it high. 
• For Sikhs, Holi calls for the display of their physical strength as they gather at ‘Anandpur Sahib’ a day after Holi to celebrate Hola Mohalla. The tradition was started by the tenth and last guru of Sikh religion, Guru Gobind Singhji and is being religiously carried forward
• Manipuris, in the northeastern part celebrate the festival in a colourful manner for six continuous days. Here, the centuries old Yaosang Festival of Manipur merged with Holi with the introduction of Vaishnavism in the eighteenth century. The highlight of the festival here is a special Manipuri dance, called 'Thabal Chongba', on the full moon night of Phalgun.
• In Orissa, the people celebrate Holi as the swing festival, where the idols of Jagannath, the deity of the Jagannath Temple of Puri, is placed on swings and women sing devotional songs, throw colours and 'gulal' on them and perform dances as devotees take turns to swing them. 
• People in Assam (especially Barpeta) celebrate the festival in a colourful manner, for three continuous days. Here, the festival was started with the introduction of Vaishnavism by Shrimanta Shankerdev. 
• Holi marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
• It may be noted that in some places like Bihar and UP Holika Dahan is also known as 'Samvatsar Dahan'. The concept of Samvatsar New Year varies in different provinces of our country. In some provinces the month commences from 'Krishna Paksha' while in others it commences from 'Shukla Paksha'. For Krishna Paksha, the year ends on 'Purnima' of the month of Phalgun and thus the New Year begins the next day - Chaitra, first day of the Krishna Paksha.

“Holi is a festival of colours, which is played in different states, different cities and different villages with their unique and innovative styles of playing but, the fact that the spirit of Holi remains the same throughout the country. It is the festival which generates the spirit of brotherhood, purity and bring people close - and this is what matters most than anything else.”

The teachers and the staff of ANKURAN wishes ‘SUBH HOLI’ to all the parents and children. 

Pre-nursery 

Nursery

Preparatory

Class KG

Pre-nursery 

 *** Parents are requested to explain their child, the various facts related to Holi, which they can understand, in the most simplified language and manner. Parents should explain the various rituals performed at home and the related stories to their child.


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