Most Indian festivals are based on the season or a deity. However, it is also a fact that the celebrations of that festival are definitely influenced by the season. Holi is a widely celebrated festival in India, particularly in the northern belt. The reason for this festival’s celebration is the same everywhere. Let’s talk about the various aspects of Holi because it’s getting closer.
The public domain contains numerous versions of the origin of Holi, particularly with regard to Holika. She is portrayed as Dalit (political propaganda) and as Prahlad’s paternal aunt in different places. However, no one really knows where any of these stories came from. In our ancient scriptures, such as the Puranas, Shruti, Smriti, and Itihasa, none of the stories are mentioned. Despite their existence, folklore cannot be considered authentic, particularly when they are depicted in a negative light. However, since they are mentioned on the Internet, which may be fake, people believe them.
A story about Holi is the only real source, but it’s not one you’ve heard before. Holi is mentioned two times. The first is in the Bhavishya Purana, and the second is in the Garg Samhita. However, these tales do not follow the same narrative as those we have been hearing for a long time. Therefore, individuals select the narrative that best serves their social or political goals. Out of the two main characters, Prahlad and Holika, Prahlad has a positive way of thinking, while Holika has a lot of negative traits, so she has a lot of bad habits. These don’t appear to be real and aren’t mentioned anywhere in the Bible.
In Bhavishya Purana (Uttar Parva, Section 132), Yudhishthira poses an inquiry to Krishna in regards to what celebration is commended in the long stretch of Phalgun where youngsters make pointless commotions and what is Adada/Holika/Dhondha and which Devta is revered.
In order to answer the aforementioned inquiries, Lord Krishna tells a story from Satyuga. Raghu, a king who was very kind and generous, lived there. In his kingdom, each of his subjects was thriving and content. Everything was moving along very well. However, one day, individuals gathered at the palace’s entrances to voice their displeasure with something that was causing them harm. The terrified individuals related tales of children being murdered by Dhonda, also known as Holika, a demoness. To get into the nitty-gritty of the situation, the King summoned the Royal Sage Vashishth. Dhondha is the daughter of a demon named Mali, Vashishth explained. Dhondha (Holika) was a devotee of Lord Shiva for a very long time. As a result, she received a blessing from him stating that neither a lord nor a demon nor a man could kill her, that she should not be afraid of the day or night, or that any of the major seasons should not affect her. With the condition that only naughty and excited children could frighten her, Shiva granted her the boon. This demoness continued to appear and harass elders and children thereafter. She didn’t stop talking until the Adada mantra was chanted.
After that, Vashishth briefed the king on the procedure for getting rid of Dhonda. He said that on Phalguna’s Purnima day in Shukla Paksha, everyone would have to be active and jump with joy. Boys should run around like soldiers with a wooden sword, shout, and have fun. Dahan, or the burning or burning of dry wood, cow dung cakes, and grass, should be performed. To frighten Dhondha, boys should clap loudly and go around the fire three times with wooden sticks. As a result, the King himself observed this custom and instructed each of his subjects to do the same.
This day is also known as Holika because Pandits perform Vasordhara Yagya on it. On this day, small children should be safeguarded. Get up early the next morning and give Pitras Tarpan. Smear your body with the ash from the Holika the night before. Decorate a location in preparation for the Devtas. This is a place of worship for married women in their finest attire. While performing the Vasordhara Yagya, make an offering of milk, curd, flowers, and incense. Include the prasad from the previous day with the food.
In the Garg Samhita, Lord Krishna is shown playing Holi with Gopis and Radha with gulal. Only Radha putting kajal in Krishna’s eye and Krishna giving her a brand-new dupatta are mentioned. Additionally, the book explains how Holi was played in those days. In the Madhurya Khand of the Garg Samhita, this is mentioned as one way that natural flowers’ colors were used in games. However, no woman is mentioned being burned on the wood and cow dung cakes pyre. Our Sanatana scriptures contain only these two stories that describe the Holi celebrations.
