Holi is the festival of colors depicting victory of good over evil. It is a very popular Hindu festival celebrated with great enthusiasm across India. The festival of Holi 2017 falls in the month of Falgun in the Hindu calendar that corresponds with the month of February or March. The Holi celebrates the onset of spring and renewal. Coming forth with the full flush of life, the invigorating air of Holi festivities spreads into the lives of people throughout the year.
The festival of colors is celebrated for two days. The first day is the Holika Dahan where people gather around a bonfire at night and carry out rituals praying to destroy all their internal evils with fire. On the second day people come together and color each other with gulal or abir, savor special drinks and sweets, intoxicated with bhang.
When is Holi in 2017?
The festival of Holi is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early March every year. In India, the Spring Festival is called Holi, the festival of colors. Holi 2017 will be celebrated on 12th March and 13th March 2017.
The first day, 12th March 2017 is known as Jalanewali Holi – the day when Holi bonfire is done. This day is also known as Chhoti Holi and Holika Dahan. The second day, 13th March 2017 is known as Rangwali Holi – the day when people play with colored powder and colored water. This day is also known as Dhulandi or Dhulendi.
Holi in India is a festival of fun and frolic and has been associated with the immortal love of Lord Krishna and Radha. The excitement and the festivity of the season is amazing. Holi is one of the major festivals of India and is celebrated in most of the states of India. However, each region celebrates it according to their culture and traditions.
History & Origin of Holi, Festival of Colors
Holi is associated with many legendary stories. I will discuss the two most popular ones here.
As per the Bhāgavata Purāṇa, there was once a demon King Hiranyakashipu who ruled over Multan. Following his years of stern penance, Lord Brahma granted him a boon that made him almost immortal. With such a boon came arrogance and Hiranyakashipu started considering himself as God and forced people to worship him. His son Prahlada was however a devotee of Lord Vishnu and continued praying Him which infuriated his father. Hiranyakashipu punished Prahlada cruelly in many ways and forced him to stop worshipping Vishnu. However every time the boy remained unaffected. One day, Hiranyakashipu’s evil sister Holika deceived Prahlada and made him sit on her lap while she sat on a pyre covering her with a cloak to remain protected. But as the pyre was put on fire her cloak flew from her body and covered Prahlada. Soon Holika burned to ashes while Prahlada remained unaffected. Hiranyakashipu got angry and in his anger smashed a pillar from which Lord Vishnu appeared in the avatar of Lord Narasimha and disemboweled the demon King with his sharp fingernails and killed him. Thus Holika Dahan observed on the night of the first day of Holi is a symbolic representation of the legend that marks the victory of good over evil.
The second legend is associated with Lord Krishna. Krishna’s skin became dark blue after the demon Putana breastfed baby Krishna with her poisoned milk. When he grew up, Krishna became upset as he thought Radha will not like him who had a fair skin. To relieve him of such apprehensions and suffering Krishna’s mother told him to color Radha’s face with any color of his choice, which he did. Gradually Radha and Krishna became associated with each other. Ultimately people began to copy this act as a mark of love and friendship rubbing colors to each other which soon became a tradition as a festival of colors.
Also Read: 10 Tips for a Healthy Holi!
Significance of Holi
Holika Dahan is observed on the previous night of Dhulandi and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. This ritual symbolizes getting oneself rid of all internal evils and past sins. It also marks a time when people meet each other, forget old conflicts and let go off past grudges and grievances and start afresh in life.
In Brijbhoomi, the land of Lord Krishna, Holi is celebrated for 16 days to celebrate the eternal love of Radha and Krishna. The festival which is celebrated on the last full moon day or Purnima of the Hindu calendar marks the end of winter season and the inauguration of spring.
Happy Holi 2017 Greetings
Best Holi SMS 2017: Happy Holi 2017 – Wishes, Messages
Dipped in hues of love and trust has come the festival of Holi. Happy Holi!! Bright colors, water balloons, lavish gujiyas and melodious songs are the ingredients of perfect Holi. Wish you a very happy and wonderful Holi.
Dher saari khushiyon se bhara ho aapka sansar,
Yahi dua hai bhagwan se hamari har bar,
Holi Mubarak ho mere yaar!
bhiga do aaj har ek ki jholi
koi muskara de to use gale laga lo
warna nikal lo, Laga ke rang keh ke HAPPY HOLI!
Red for Courage and Vitality,
Yellow for Joy and Happiness,
Blue for Spirituality and Peace,
Gold for Prosperity and Wisdom,
Green for Fertility and Well-being,
And White for Purity and Cleanliness.
Have a colorful Holi!
Suraj kee Kirne, Khushiyo kee Bahaar,
Chand kee Chandni, Apno ka Pyaar,
Mubaarak ho Aapko Rango ka Tyohaar.
Happy Holi!
I wish you and your family all the bright hues of life.
Have a colorful Holi!
Pichkari se barse sirf pyar.
Ye hai mauka apno se gale mitane ka
To gulal or rang lekar ho jao taiyar
HAPPY HOLI 2017!