Holi- The festival of Color
The Spring festival of India- Holi, is the festival of colours. This festival is celebrated to welcome the Spring and win the blessings of God for good harvests and fertility of the land. It symbolizes purity. It is a day when every house is sloshed with a definite captivating colour signifying newness clearing the darkest of times.
Another reason why Holi is significant is its association with Raasleela, the Divine Dance that Lord Krishna performed for the gopis , his devotees in Vrindavan on this day.
Holi Festival is widely celebrated in India, Nepal and other places with Hindu population. In recent times, this festival has also gained acceptance among Non-Hindus as a spring festival of love and colours.
Colour is a force of life, it makes wonder to the nature and brings happiness within everybody. In this season people come together and have fun by splashing colour on each other. It gives us the message of friendship and goodwill. On this occasion we forget our old quarrels and mix with all freely.
This is the day when we forget our social distinctions completely. There is no difference between the rich and the poor. Holi gives us great joy. It is a happy occasion when we forget our cares and anxieties.
It is during this festival when we get the opportunity to stand at different points on the streets armed with coloured water buckets and water-filled balloons, waiting to attack those walking in the neighbourhood.
The colours were originally made from flowers and others products that had dyeing products and that is why it had a strong fragrance and is safe for the skin and eyes. But nowadays the Holi colours are using chemicals and artificial products for long lasting and strong colours. These colours are harmful for the skin and eyes. Theses colours are really difficult to take off unlike the natural colours.
Every shades of colour has a specific meaning. Red is the colour of wedding, love and passion; yellow, a colour of greediness, green symbolises foundation and saffron signifies piety and strength. It is when these colours blend; they gift that intense happiness, that bring happiness to the common citizen.
Another important aspect of Holi is its joy and fun. Contrary to common perception, spirituality is about enjoying life to its fullest. The spiritual life is not about giving up our possessions but discovering higher, permanent joys. It is a path filled with serendipity and moments of sheer joy reflected in the life of Lord Krishna.
Holi being a festival of forgiveness and a new beginning, it aims to generate harmony in the society.
