As Holi approaches, people gear up for this festival of colors. This is a common trend every year. When is holi in 2011 and why does the date of Holi vary from one year to another? In 2011, Holi will be celebrated on March 19th. Celebrations will continue until March 20th. Usually on the first day, people play with gulal or abeer and on the second day, watercolors are used.
Holi is celebrated as per the day of Phalgun Poornima or the Day of Full Moon in the Hindu calendar. So, holi date will also differ depending on the full moon day. For instance, in the year 2012, Holi will be celebrated on March 8th and in 2013, the festival of colors will be observed on March 27th.
Holi is a popular Hindu festival that has its roots dating back to the ancient times, in fact before Christ. This has been proved by innumerable texts, inscriptions, images, paintings, and murals. Remnants at Ahmednagar, Mewar, and Bundi indicate the same.
Holika and Holi celebrations
Holika plays an important role before the Holi festivities kick off. The effigy of holika is burnt. The effigy is placed on stack of wood, bamboo, and straw. The whole thing is set on fire. It is believed that evil goes up in flames along with the smoke and goodness rules. Burning holika is an essential part of holi celebrations. It is usually arranged a day before people play with colors (mainly on the eve of Holi). People gather around the pyre, play dhol (an Indian instrument, which is played on joyous occasions), sing songs, and rejoice that evil spirit is going up in fire.
Holi History
Lord Krishna, Prahlad, the son of King Hiranyakashyap, and Holika are all associated with history of Holi. There are many tales about Lord Krishna playing and showering colors on his beloved and the womenfolk of the village.
Regarding Hiranyakashyap, who was a demon king, he set his son (Prahlad) on fire wrongfully along with his sister. But such was the devotion of Prahlad that he escaped without a scratch on his body or any injury.
Holi festivities
Holi is incomplete without color balloons, pichkaris, pranks, abeer and gulal. Even if you drench someone with colored water, you will be spared as it is holi and no one minds if pranks are played on someone. Exchanging gifts, sweets, visiting friends, getting together for celebrations constitute holi festivities.
Holi is celebrated as per the day of Phalgun Poornima or the Day of Full Moon in the Hindu calendar. So, holi date will also differ depending on the full moon day. For instance, in the year 2012, Holi will be celebrated on March 8th and in 2013, the festival of colors will be observed on March 27th.
Holi is a popular Hindu festival that has its roots dating back to the ancient times, in fact before Christ. This has been proved by innumerable texts, inscriptions, images, paintings, and murals. Remnants at Ahmednagar, Mewar, and Bundi indicate the same.
Holika and Holi celebrations
Holika plays an important role before the Holi festivities kick off. The effigy of holika is burnt. The effigy is placed on stack of wood, bamboo, and straw. The whole thing is set on fire. It is believed that evil goes up in flames along with the smoke and goodness rules. Burning holika is an essential part of holi celebrations. It is usually arranged a day before people play with colors (mainly on the eve of Holi). People gather around the pyre, play dhol (an Indian instrument, which is played on joyous occasions), sing songs, and rejoice that evil spirit is going up in fire.
Holi History
Lord Krishna, Prahlad, the son of King Hiranyakashyap, and Holika are all associated with history of Holi. There are many tales about Lord Krishna playing and showering colors on his beloved and the womenfolk of the village.
Regarding Hiranyakashyap, who was a demon king, he set his son (Prahlad) on fire wrongfully along with his sister. But such was the devotion of Prahlad that he escaped without a scratch on his body or any injury.
Holi festivities
Holi is incomplete without color balloons, pichkaris, pranks, abeer and gulal. Even if you drench someone with colored water, you will be spared as it is holi and no one minds if pranks are played on someone. Exchanging gifts, sweets, visiting friends, getting together for celebrations constitute holi festivities.