Summary
The celebration is a two-day extravaganza of dancing, dining, and general mayhem, replete with a plethora of coloured paint and water cannons.
But what is the significance of Holi and why is it celebrated?
Everything you need to know about the event is right here.
In the year 2022, when is Holi?
Holi will be celebrated on Friday, March 18 this year.
The Hindu lunar calendar determines the date of Holi, which means it does not happen on the same day every year, although it does fall around the same time.
Holi is a Hindu festival celebrated across the world and is a national holiday in India and Nepal.
What is the significance of Holi?
Holi is a Hindu celebration that commemorates the victory of virtue over evil as well as the arrival of spring.
It occurs on the final full moon of the Hindu lunar month Phalguna and lasts for a night and a day.
Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi is the first day, while Holi, Rangwali Holi, Dhuleti, Dhulandi, or Phagwah is the second.
While Holi is a Hindu celebration, it has gained popularity among non-Hindus in regions like South Asia, Europe, and North America.
In certain regions, celebrations might linger much longer. The fun in the Braj region near Mathura in north India may continue up to a week, and the region also has a unique ceremony in which men go about with shields and women have the right to hit them with sticks in a playful manner.
What is Holi’s origin storey?
The event is based on the narrative of King Hiranyakashipu, who demanded to be worshipped because he thought he was invincible, and then punished his son Prahlada for remaining devoted to the deity Vishnu instead.
Prahlada’s evil aunt tried to mislead him into sitting on a flaming pyre, but her magical cloak flew off her back and shielded him instead, leaving her to burn to death.
Meanwhile, Hiranyakashipu had his just desserts when Vishnu arrived as a half-human, half-lion beast and abducted him, killing him with his claws.
When it comes to Holi, why do people throw paint?
The narrative of god Krishna, who was self-conscious about the blue colour of his face after being poisoned by breast milk, is popularly thought to be the inspiration for the paint-throwing.
He was depressed because he thought Radha the milkmaid would reject him.
He told his mother, Devaki, who urged him to paint his face so that it didn’t matter what colour he was.
Thousands of people now splash paint about and become painted in various colours to commemorate the occasion.
