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Holi
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This is a Hindu festival celebrated
from the full moon day (poornima) of the Hindu lunar month
of Phalgun till the fifth day (panchami) of the dark fortnight
of Phalgun. It is celebrated for two to five days, depending
on the regional variations.
Various names of the festival
The festival has various names such as Hori, Dolayatra in
North India, Shimga, Holi, Hutashani mahotsav, Holikadahan (burning of Holika
) in West India (Goa, Konkan and Maharashtra) and Kamadahan (burning of desires)
in South India. It is also called Vasantotsav, that is, the festival celebrated
to welcome the Vasant (Spring) season.
History
In this festival, emphasis is laid on lighting of Holi
- a small pyre of wood. Its origin is attributed by some to the burning of negative
energies such as Holika, Holaka, Dhundha and Putana, who trouble little children,
or to the burning of desires (Kam or Madan) according to others.
Celebration
One should not light Holi during the day. The person
lighting it should purify himself and pronounce the resolve, "I am performing
this worship along with my family to overcome the trouble from negative energies
like Dhundha," before lighting the Holi pyre.
After the Holi fire is burnt out it should be extinguished
by sprinkling milk and ghee. Then sattvik fruits
like coconuts and chakothra (pomelo) should be distributed to the people assembled
there. The night should be spent in dance and song.
On this day, the deity Bhag is worshipped. The common
meaning of Bhag is reproductive organs or the female sex organs. Thus, the celebration
on this day includes the usage of language referring to the female reproductive
organs, that is, 'foul' language, in the name of the deity Bhag. This by itself
is a type of worship of the deity. One must realize the significance of the foul
language as a part of worship on this particular day, rather than taking it out
of context, that is, using foul language in one's day-to-day speech.
In some places it is customary to smear the body with substances
like ash, cow dung and mud and indulge in dancing and singing.
Current form of the festival
The Holi festival as prevalent today is more at a social
rather than a religious level. Though over a passage of time a number of religious
and cultural rites and rituals have been included in it, it is prevalently a
social festival, hence, most of the ritualistic benefits derived from it are
not gained. Holikotsav, Dhulikotsav and Rangotsav are the three most common social
festivals celebrated today; Holi, Dhulvad and Rangapanchami, respectively, are
their popular names.
Dhulvad or Dhulivandan (worshipping the dust): This
is the first day (pratipada) of the dark fortnight of the month of Phalgun. On
this day either the ash of the Holi pyre from the previous night or dust is worshipped.
After the ritualistic worship, obeisance is offered reciting the following mantra: "O
dust (dhuli), Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh salute you. Hence, O deity of the
elements, grant us opulence and protect us."
Rangapanchami: It is celebrated on the fifth day (panchami)
of the dark fortnight of the month of Phalgun by throwing a red, fragrant powder
(gulal) and splashing gulal-colored water on others.
[Reference: Holy
Festivals, Religious Festivals and Vowed Religious Observances,
compiled by H.
H. Dr. Jayant B. Athavale and Dr. Mrs. Kunda Athavale,
published by the Sanatan.]
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