Mohe Tu Rang De Basanti….Rang De….. It is that time of the year when the VIBGYOR colors dazzle the air, shrieks of joy fills the atmosphere ,when folks greet each other with colored water and mouth watering sweets. Holi, popularly known as the festival of colors is celebrated in March announcing the arrival of spring. This year Holi will be celebrated during 27 March 2013.
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| Rango-ki-bochaar-holi-ka-tyohaar |
Holi, irrespective of caste or creed is an opportunity for people to get together and have some fun. Bonfires are lit and people dance around it. The pot with butter hung from a distance from the ground is broken as a team game. People climb on top of each other, forming a specific pattern like that of a human ladder to reach the pot. Variety of sweet dishes are made like the Puran Poli, Gujiya, Dahi Bhalle, Kanji Vade, Bhang ke Pakore, Malpua and much more.
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| Gujia |
The origin of the festival of Holi dates back to the Puranas. Prahlad was punished by his father for worshipping Lord Vishnu. So he was taken to the fire by demoness Holika who ultimately got killed while Prahlad escaped miraculously. The burning of Holika symbolizes the destruction of evil and all things bad. So during Holi people cleanse their homes by burning what they feel is bad for them. Another story goes by the concept of Lord Krishna teasing Gopikas by throwing colors at them. Yet another story is that of Kamadeva getting reunited with his wife Rati spiritually after Lord Shiva cursed him into death.
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| Bhakt-Prahlad |
Different parts of the country celebrate Holi in their own ways. The most interesting of the different celebrations is the one in Barsana, Uttar Pradesh. The famous Lath Mar Holi is their way of celebrating it. The women and men indulge themselves in a wonderful interactive game; the women beat the men with sticks while the men taunt them. The audience encourages this and has great fun watching this. In Mathura and Vrindavan, there are special pujas on this occasion. In Delhi also the festival is celebrated with zeal and zest.
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| Lathmar-Holi-Barsana |
Hola Mohalla is the Holi that is celebrated by the Sikh community. Started by the tenth Guru Gobind Singh, Hola Mohalla displays the military power of the Sikhs. The three day festival mocks battles and has a variety of competitions that involves in the get together of the community. Display of swordsmanship and horse riding marks the famous procession which happens at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, a day after the Holi.
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| Holi-Mohalla |
Enjoy this season’s Holi like never before. Feel the water splash across your face, try ‘pichkarying’ your friend and dress in colors like never before.
