Holi

The best-known Holi legend is the story of Prahlada, the young devotee of Vishnu, and his father Hiranyakashipu, who demanded that everyone worship him. Prahlada refused to abandon his devotion, so the king tried repeatedly to kill him. Finally, Hiranyakashipu's sister Holika, believed to be protected from fire, sat in a blazing fire with Prahlada on her lap. The protection failed because it was used for harm: Holika was burned while Prahlada survived through his faith. Holika Dahan on the eve of Holi remembers this victory of devotion over arrogance and cruelty. The following celebration of colours also carries strong Krishna traditions, especially stories of Krishna, Radha and the playful spring celebrations of Braj. Thus Holi joins a moral story of good overcoming evil with the joy of spring, reconciliation, music, colour and community.

Holi is valued for devotion, family tradition and the spiritual or seasonal meaning attached to the day.

A pile of wood and dry cow dung is built at a crossroads over the days before and lit after sunset on the full moon. People go round it, offering coconut, dates and fresh grain, and the direction the flames lean is read for the coming season. The next morning is Dhuleti and is a different day with a different temper.

Holika Dahan is the night; the colour is the next day and a separate festival in Gujarat, Dhuleti. Braj keeps a fortnight of it, including Lathmar Holi at Barsana. Punjab keeps Hola Mohalla the day after with martial display. In the south it is small; in Bengal it is Dol Jatra, with the deities carried in a swing.