Prof. Dr. R.D. Gupta
Amongst India’s innumerable festivals all the year around, Holi is certainly a favourite for having a cosmopolitan feeling to it. The festival of Holi begins on Ashtami-on the eighth day of the waxing moon of the Phalgun (Phagun) month and ends on the full moon day i.e; Puranmashi (Purnima) which either falls on the same month or sometimes on the month Chet. The festival is observed not only in India but also in Nepal and in other countries where a large Hindu population dwells.
Legends
Out of the various legends associated with the Holi festival, the first and the foremost is the legend of demon king Hiranyakashyap. He was a very powerful devil. In his fight against gods, he had defeated gods and because of this he became egoistic, and issued an order that no one would pray to the god or even take God’s name. Due to fear, the people started praying Hiranyakashyap. However, his son Prahlad, who was devotee of Lord Vishnu, did not obey his father’s order. Hiranyakashyap got angry and wanted to kill him. He, therefore, called on her sister Holika and asked her to enter in a blazing fire keeping Prahlad in her lap. It was because Holika had been granted a boon that fire will not resort any harm to her. However, story goes that Prahlad was saved by the Lord Vishno Himself owing to his extreme devotion and evil Holika was burnt to ashes as her boon worked only when if entered the fire alone. Since then the people light a bonafire known as Holika on the eve of Holi festival and celebrate the victory of good over the evil.
In South India, especially in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala the legends are some what different. In Tamil Nadu the presiding deity of Holi is Kama the God of love and his consort Rati. The legend goes that Lord Shiva went in deep meditation after the demise of his consort, Goddess Sati. Sati was reborn as Goddess Parvati and wanted to return to Lord Shiva as his consort. But neither she nor Shiva ganas could break his meditation and make him look at Parvati pining for him. As it is well known that Lord Shiva represents Matter whereas Parvati denotes Energy (Shakti). Without them acting in consonance, humanity would come to a stand still. All Devatas (goods) were in anxiety and approached Kama the God of Love, who fired an arrow at Lord Shiva. Shiva, with his meditation disturbed, opened the third eye on his fore head and struck down Kama in a heap of ashes. Prior to accepting Goddess Parvati, Rati-Kama’s wife, performed severe penance to get back her husband. Lord Shiva promised her that Kama would return to her and resume the spread of love. He would however, be formless. In Tamil Nadu people believe that Kama was revived on the day of Holi and, therefore, celebrate the festival in his name. Songs are sung showing Rati’s extreme sorrow and people offer sandal wood to Kamdev to easez the pain of burning.
In North Karnatka there is a custom that on Holiday the embers from the burnt effigy of God Kama are taken to the homes by the women to cook food. But now under LPG and electric stoves in almost all the homes, the embers are kept inside the home as symbol.
In Kerala, the Kudumbi community celebrate Holi at 20 temples in the state, according to temple rites, which vary from temple to temple. In some temples Holi symbolizes with Durga’s victory over the Demons. In other temples, a figure of crocodile is modeled out of mud. In accordance with the belief the Goddess Durga is in the form of crocodile, who helped the Kudumbis when they faced massacres from the Purtugues, while migrating from Goa to Kerala.
In Jammu City, people celebrate the Holi festival with fanfare. Before 2-3 days its celebration, many of the people begin to buy dry gulal, liquid colours, water balloons and Pitchkaris including fancy ones which lure the kids. Children are now opting for new Chinese Pitchkaris. Holy greeting cards come packed with packets of colours. Youngsters send Holi greetings to their friends. Sweet shops too are busy in selling sweets and snacks. Mirgrants of Kashmir and Doda district are seen busy in celebrating Holi. Shops of all the Bazars of Jammu remain closed. Since the break of dawn on Hoilday, the groups of young men and women are seen in throwing colours at each other in all the markets and bazaars.
On the occasion of Holi festival, a function of Holi Milan, is organized by the citizens of various organizations of the districts like Rajouri, Poonch Udhampur, Kathua. In some of these gatherings District Development Commissioners hold this festival with great fervour, zeal and happiness. In some of the places processions are taken out which pass through main bazers and conclude at certain places. Various religious scholars including President Santhan Dharam Shabas address a big gathering of the Devotees.
The Rashtriya Rifles Battalion, under the of Uniform Force Head Quarter, organized an inter-panchayat Holi Dangal at Jhangar in Rajouri District every year, where in large number of youths take part. Usually Rashtriya Rifles Battalion Commanding Officer is the Chief guest and prizes are distributed. Such activities enhance self confidence of the youths and further strengthen the bonding between the panchayats.
Worship of Holi takes place one day before the Holi festival. This day is known as “Holika Dahan.” Although there is no special worship or Pooja performed on the Holi day yet this is merely meant for celebrations and play of colours. Holika Dahan is the main ritual performed at the times of Holi. People light bonafires on the eve of Holi worship to celebrate the victory of good over the bad, which is called Holika Dahan.
There is no doubt that Holi is a festival of joy and colours for all the people including lovers. However, one must always be on alert to prevent any accident that may mar all the fun and change whole of the scenario to a sad one. Remember to use the following precautions to enjoy the Holi festival safely.
Holi is meant to be a rough festival with tradition of applying colours to the guests and friends with or without their consent. Any kind of rudeness is totally forgiven on this day. However, these kinds of funs should also be done under certain limits. One should always remember to follow a few of the precautions.
If possible dental caps are required to use to protect teeth from staining.
Always put on old and ragged clothes which can be easily discards, while playing Holi. Wear full sleeved t-shirts and leggings that cover the legs fully.
Apply a thick layer of coconut or any other oil on the body while playing the Holi. This will not only help in escaping from the frenzied mob attack but also assist to wash off colours easily lateron.
While travelling in the car, keep all its windows closed. To protect the hair one should use a hat or cap. Try to save from all possible attacks on the face.
Ensure that only non-toxic colours are used especially by younger children. Considering the toxicity of synthetic colours some institutions and organisatins have now come forward to make people aware of the use of ecofriendly natural colours along with resurrection of old traditional vegetable based Holi colours. Hence, herbal gulals are now commercially available in the market which must be given priority to use during Holi playing.
(Ex Associate Dean Cum Chief Scientist KVK, SKUAST, Jammu)
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