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In spite of being such a colourful and gay festival,
there are various aspects of Holi which makes it so
significant for our lives. Though they might not
be so apparent but a closer look and a little thought
will reveal the significance of Holi in more ways than
meets the eyes. Ranging from socio-cultural, religious
to biological there is every reason why we must heartily
enjoy the festival and cherish the reasons for its celebrations.
So when, its time for Holi, please don't hold yourself
back and enjoy the festival to the hilt by participating
with full enthusiasm in every small tradition related
to the festival.
Mythological Significance
Holi gets us close to our religion and our mythology
as it is essentially the celebration of various legends
associated with the festival.
Foremost is the legend of Prahlad and Hiranyakshyap.
The legend says there once lived a devil and powerful
king, Hiranyakshyap who considered himself a god and
wanted everybody to worship him. To his great ire,
his son, Prahlad began to worship, Lord Vishnu. To get
rid of his son, Hiranyakshyap asked his sister, Holika
to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap, as
she had a boon to enter fire unscathed. Legend has it
that Prahlad was saved for his extreme devotion for
the lord while Holika paid a price for her sinister
desire. The tradition of burning Holika or the 'Holika
dahan' comes mainly from this legend.
Holi also celebrates the legend of Radha and Krishna
which describes the extreme delight, Krishna took in
applying colour on Radha and other gopis. This prank
of Krishna later, became a trend and a part of the Holi
festivities.
Mythology also states that Holi is the celebration
of death of Ogress Pootana who tried to kill infant,
Krishna by feeding poisonous milk to it.
Another legend of Holi which is extremely popular
in Southern India is that of Lord Shiva and Kaamadeva.
According to the legend, people in south celebrate the
sacrifice of Lord of Passion Kaamadeva who risked his
life to revoke Lord Shiva from meditation and save the
world.
Also, popular is the legend of Ogress Dhundhi who
used to trouble children in the kingdom of Raghu and
was ultimately chased away by the pranks of the children
on the day of Holi. Showing their belief in the
legend, children till date play pranks and hurl abuses
at the time of Holika Dahan.
Cultural Significance
Celebration of the various legends associated with
Holi reassure the people of the power of the truth as
the moral of all these legends is the ultimate victory
of good over evil. The legend of Hiranyakashyap
and Prahlad also points to the fact that extreme devotion
to god pays as god always takes his true devotee in
his shelter.
All these legends help the people to follow a good
conduct in their lives and believe in the virtue of
being truthful. This is extremely important in the
modern day society when so many people resort to evil
practices for small gains and torture one who is honest.
Holi helps the people to believe in the virtue of being
truthful and honest and also to fight away the evil.
Besides, holi is celebrated at a time of the year
when the fields are in full bloom and people are expecting
a good harvest. This gives a people a good reason to
rejoice, make merry and submerge themselves in the spirit
of Holi.
Social Significance
Significance of Holy Holi helps to bring the society
together and strengthen the secular fabric of our country.
For, the festival is celebrated by non-Hindus also as
everybody like to be a part of such a colouful and joyous
festival.
Also, the tradition of the Holi is that even the enemies
turn friends on Holi and forget any feeling of hardship
that may be present. Besides, on this day people do
not differentiate between the rich and poor and everybody
celebrate the festival together with a spirit of bonhomie
and brotherhood.
In the evening people visit friends and relatives and
exchange gifts, sweets and greetings. This helps in
revatalising relationships and strengthening emotional
bonds between people.
Biological Significance
It is interesting to note that the festival of Holi
is significant for our lives and body in many other
ways than providing joy and fun.
We also need to thank our forefathers who started
the trend of celebrating Holi at such a scientifically
accurate time. And, also for incorporating so much fun
in the festival.
As Holi comes at a time of the year when people have
a tendency to feel sleepy and lazy. This is natural
for the body to experiences some tardiness due to the
change from the cold to the heat in the atmosphere.
To counteract this tardiness of the body, people sing
loudly or even speak loudly. Their movements are
brisk and their music is loud. All of this helps to
rejuvenate the system of the human body.
Besides, the colours when sprayed on the body have
a great impact on it. Biologists believe the liquid
dye or Abeer penetrates the body and enters into the
pores. It has the effect of strengthening the ions in
the body and adds health and beauty to it.
There is yet another scientific reason for celebrating
the Holi, this however pertains to the tradition of
Holika Dahan. The mutation period of winter and spring,
induces the growth of bacteria in the atmosphere as
well as in the body. When Holika is burnt, temperature
rises to about 145 degrees Fahrenhiet. Following the
tradition when people perform Parikrima (circumambulation
or going around) around the fire, the heat from the
fire kills the bacteria in the body thus, cleansing
it.
The way Holi is celebrated in south, the festival
also promotes good health. For, the day after the burning
of Holika people put ash (Vibhuti) on their forehead
and they would mix Chandan (sandalpaste) with the young
leaves and flowers of the Mango tree and consume it
to promote good health.
Some also believe that play with colours help to promote
good health as colours are said to have great impact
on our body and our health. Western-Physicians and doctors
believe that for a healthy body, colours too have an
important place besides the other vital elements. Deficiency
of a particular colour in our body causes ailment, which
can be cured only after supplementing the body with
that particular colour.
People also clean-up their houses on Holi which
helps in clearing up the dust and mess in the house
and get rid of mosquitoes and others pests. A clean
house generally makes the residents feel good and generate
positive energies.
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