Holi

Major Hindu Festival, Spring Festival, Festival of Love and New Beginnings

Gazetted Holiday

Typically 2 days (Holika Dahan on Phalguna Purnima and Rangwali Holi on Phalguna Krishna Pratipada). However, celebrations can extend for several days or even weeks in certain regions (e.g., Braj).

Celebrates the triumph of good over evil (Prahlad and Holika), the arrival of spring, end of winter, and the blossoming of love. It's a day for fun, forgiveness, mending relationships, and expressing joy.

Key Rituals & Practices

Holika Dahan (lighting of bonfires on the eve of Holi, symbolizing the burning of evil and negativities)

Playing with colors (applying dry colored powders called 'gulal' and splashing colored water using 'pichkaris')

Singing, dancing, and drumming (especially folk songs related to Holi and Krishna, known as 'Holi geet')

Consuming special sweets and savories (e.g., Gujiya, Malpua, Thandai, Bhang)

Visiting friends and family, exchanging greetings and sweets

Forgiving and forgetting past grievances, strengthening social bonds

Associated Deities

Lord Vishnu (especially in his Narasimha avatar)

Lord Krishna

Radha

Holika (demoness)

Kama Deva (in some South Indian traditions)

Hindu Calendar Details

Hindu Month

Phalguna

Paksha

Krishna Paksha (for Rangwali Holi)

Tithi

Pratipada (for Rangwali Holi); Holika Dahan is on Phalguna Purnima (full moon)

Regional Relevance & Variations

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Historical & Mythological Context

The most prominent mythological narrative associated with Holi is the story of **Prahlad and Holika**. Prahlad was a devout follower of Lord Vishnu, much to the dismay of his demonic father, Hiranyakashipu, who considered himself supreme. Hiranyakashipu's sister, Holika, had a boon that made her immune to fire. She attempted to burn Prahlad by sitting with him in a bonfire. However, due to Prahlad's unwavering devotion and Vishnu's divine intervention, Holika was consumed by the fire, while Prahlad emerged unharmed. This event symbolizes the victory of devotion and good over evil. Another popular legend, particularly in the Braj region (where Lord Krishna spent his childhood), involves **Lord Krishna and Radha**. Krishna, feeling self-conscious about his dark skin compared to Radha's fair complexion, was playfully advised by his mother Yashoda to color Radha's face with paint. This playful act is believed to have started the tradition of playing with colors. In some Southern Indian traditions, Holi is linked to the legend of **Kamadeva**, the god of love. Kamadeva shot an arrow at Lord Shiva to disturb his meditation and make him fall in love with Parvati. Angered, Shiva opened his third eye and burned Kama to ashes. Later, upon the pleading of Rati (Kama's wife) and other gods, Shiva restored Kama to a bodiless, emotional state. The bonfire on Holi is sometimes seen as commemorating Kamadeva's sacrifice.

Alternative Names

Festival of Colors

Phagwah

Dol Jatra

Basanta Utsav

Fagu Purnima

Gregorian Date

Varies annually, typically in March