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Holi is a festival of colors, one of the popular and joyous festivals celebrated by Hindus. Holi is celebrated as a symbolic triumph of good over evil.
Holi derives its name from Holika. According to the popular Hindu text Bhagavatam, there was an evil powerful king who forced his citizens to worship him as God. But King’s son, Prahalad, became an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. The angry king after failing to punish Prahalad many times he plotted with his sister, Holika, to kill his son. Holika, who was immune to fire, tricked Prahalad to sit in a pyre with her. When the pyre was lit, the boy’s devotion to Lord Vishnu helped him walk away unscathed while Holika was burned to death. The immunity boon she had lost is due to its misuse.
Holi begins with lighting up a bonfire on Hole eve. People often throw wood, dried leaves and twigs into bonfires. Next day, people play Holi with colors, water balloons and water guns. Later, people enjoy delicious sweets. People also dance in the beats of Holi songs and popular folk music.
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Other reading material: What are the major Hindu holidays? Holi Tool-kit,
Relevant videos: Short video on Holi by HAF,
Contributor: Geetha Ravula
Location of this post (20b):https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/what-is-holi/
Category:
20. Holidays