India is a secular land of multi-culture and multi-religion
people. It is better known as a land of fairs and festivals where every festival is celebrated with great
enthusiasm. For Indian festival are the occasions which bring friends and
family together. An Indian great number of festivals are celebrated throughout the year. Some of the famous
festivals celebrated in India are Navratri, Holi, Durga
Puja, Raksha Bandhan, Diwali, Eid etc. There is a reason for celebration
of every festival.
When I talk about Indian festival Holi –The festival of
colors, it instantly reminds me of Gulal and water balloons. The pictures of
people smearing each other with different colors crosses my mind, that are sure
sights to behold. Holi is marked by end
of winters and the beginning of springs.
It is a time that is cherished by everybody because at this time social
barriers lose their strength and fun flows in the air. This festival has a
strong connection in Hindu way of living. It is of particular significance to
the people living in the Braj region. It is traditionally connected to lord
Krishna.
Significance
of Holi
The Indian Festival of Holi is celebrated for
two days. The legend behind Holi celebration is as follows: demon Hiranyakashap
sister Holika took Prahlad (great devotee of Lord Vishnu and son of
Hiranyakashap) in her lap and sat on fire with the intension to kill Prahlad. Holika
was blessed with a boon of not getting hurt by fire. But Lord Vishnu saved
Prahlad and Holika died in the fire. From that day people started the tradition
of Holika Dahan. On the next day people continue to celebrate this festival by throwing
different colors at each other. Holi is celebrated not only India but also a number of other countries like Trinidad,
Tobago, Nepal and Guyana.
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Celebration of Holi
Every Indian celebrates Holi in its own
way. Tradition to celebrate the festival differs from one state to another
state. This festival having great association with the childhood of Lord
Krishna, in itself speaks for the charm of Holi celebration in Vrindavan and
Mathura region. While in some parts of the country pots filled with buttermilk
are hung high in the streets. A group of men forming a human pyramid tries to
break those pots while the women throw water on them in order to stop them. In Barsana, women dress their spouse in
female attire and beat them on the day of Holi. Bengal celebrates this festival
in the most dignified way. Here, idols of Radha and Krishna
are taken out in a procession.
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Issues
Related to Holi
One of the major issues related to this
festival is the threat of environmental pollution and the use of synthetic
colors. The environmentalists are concerned with issues related to the
traditional Holika Dahan which leads to deforestation. The natural colors have
been replaced by the chemically produced industrial dyes which leads to various
forms of allergy to the human skin. The traditionally made colors from
turmeric, extract of flowers and sandalwood have been substituted by colors
that make use of lead oxide and copper sulfate that do not wash away easily
from your skin.
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