Due to the presence of numerous religions, where people speak various languages, dress differently, and have various cultures and traditions, India is a country with a diversified and rich cultural heritage. India has more festivals celebrated than any other country in the world, and celebrations of some form take place every day.
Without regard to caste, creed, or religion, people all around the country join together to celebrate holidays. To live in peace and harmony, we adhere to the motto “Unity in Diversity.” Numerous festivals are observed here all year long as a result of the diversity of its cultures and religions. Holi, the festival of colours, is one among them.
Holi is one of the most popular Indian festivals that has been celebrated in the Indian Subcontinent for ages. Holi is not only celebrated in India but also in some foreign countries where the Hindu population resides.
The festival of colours is celebrated with full enthusiasm and happiness. Basically, the purpose behind the celebration of this festival is to celebrate the victory of good over evil. According to the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated in the month of Phalguna, and if we go with the Gregorian calendar, it is celebrated in the month of March.
It marks the end of the winter season and the commencement of the spring season, which is also known as the “Season of Harvest.”
Happy Holi Date & Time
According to the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated in the month of Phalguna, and if we go with the Gregorian calendar, it is celebrated in the month of March. It marks the end of the winter season and the commencement of the spring season, which is also known as the “Season of Harvest.”
The celebration starts in the evening of the last full moon of the lunar month of Purnima, which is a day prior to the main Holi, which is called Choti Holi.
Purnima Tithi predicts that the muhurat of Holika Dehan will begin on March 7 at 6:09 PM and end on Main Holi on March 8, 2023.
Happy Holi History
The reason to celebrate this beautiful festival of colors is rooted deep in Hindu mythology, according to which Holi marks the victory of good over evil.
It originated from the tale of a demon king, Hiranyakashyap, and his pious son, Prahlad, who was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. The father-and-son duo represent good and evil. Hiranyakashyap was against his son worshipping Lord Vishnu, as he was the great hater of Lord Vishnu.
Despite knowing that his father was against Vishnu, Prahlad was adamant about his faith in the Lord.
Being furious, Hiranyakashyap decided to kill his son Prahlad by incineration, with the help of his sister Holika, who was immune to fire. To do so, Holika sat on a pyre, holding Prahlad on her lap, but by the grace of God, the fire even couldn’t touch Prahlad; instead, it engulfed Holika in flames.
To end Hiranyakashyap, Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Narsingh (the Hindu lion), as Hiranyakashyap was blessed with a divine power not to be killed by a human.
Hence, the Lord slew the demon king and suppressed his wrath by killing him. To mark the victory of Prahlad’s true devotion towards Lord Vishnu and the Lord’s killing the demon, the festival is celebrated with joy and happiness.
Holi Significance & How to Celebrate
Holi has a lot of significance as it is celebrated by people around the world, irrespective of their religious and cultural beliefs. It brings people together and bridges gaps between communities.People come to each other’s places and smear colour on each other.
Days before Holi, people collect huge piles of wood, and on the day prior to the main Holi, people light bonfires at their homes and at crossroads around the cities.
The best part about the festival is that even if someone is a stranger to you, you can still celebrate it with them by applying colours to their faces, and no one on this day is going to complain about that. People make different kinds of sweet dishes at their homes and exchange them with their friends and family members.
The feasts are organised for relatives and close friends. Only love is spread during the festival, and keeping all the differences aside, people enjoy this festival.
This festival is celebrated in different ways in different parts of India. It commemorates Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha’s love in some parts of northern India. Lathmar Holi is also famous and is celebrated in Banaras, the home of goddess Radha. During this, women hit men with sticks, and men tried to protect themselves using shields.
Holi 2023 FAQs
A. Holi will be celebrated on 8th March 2023 as full moon date of Falgun/Phalguna falls on this date
A. Hindu people around the World celebrate Holi with full enthusiasm.
A. Holi Bhai Dooj is celebrated the next day of Holi, 9th March this year.