The festival of colors in India is the Holi holiday. History of the origin of the holiday

Not everyone knows that the most colorful celebration in the world can be seen in India. The Holly Festival is a national tradition, from which the Hindus do not refuse for many centuries. It is interesting that the event does not have an exact date, can be held in February or March, the main condition is the full moon. On holidays, residents of the country welcome spring, pay tribute to the ancient deities and just have fun.

History of the Holi holiday: the name

Several legends are associated with the triumph, during which people rejoice at the onset of spring. The legend of Holik is very popular in India. Holiday Holi got its name in honor of the beautiful girl, who was the sister of the legendary ruler Hiranyakashipu, according to the legends of the ruler of the world.

Hiranyakasipu easily subjugated people, but he could not gain power over his own son Prohlad, who worshiped only the god Vishnu. Angry with his son, the king told his sister Holicke to deal with him. Having obeyed the will of her brother, the girl entered the fire with the child. She was not afraid to burn, because she had power over this element.

However, Prokhlad turned to his god and he heard his prayer, defending himself from the tongues of flame. Holika lost her life, having lost her spell. For many centuries her name is known to every person living in India. The holiday of Holi is named in her honor, during its carrying out the effigy of the girl is exposed to burning. Ritual symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.

Beautiful legends

Not only with the name of the unfortunate Holika, the story of the holiday is connected, the legend of Krishna and his beloved Radha is also famous. The young god was so blinded by the beauty of a mere mortal girl that she wanted to be with her. However, the chosen one was afraid of Krishna, because outwardly he was not like a man. The solution to the frustrated god was suggested by his mother - the powerful Yasoda. She persuaded her son to color her face, using a colored powder to please her lover. That is why the holiday of colors can not do without colored powder, which people are covered with the feet up to the head.

Has to do with the spring celebration and the legend of Kamadev. This god, revered as the patron of lovers, once angered Shiva. As punishment for the misdeed Shiva incinerated the irreverent god, making him incorporeal. Kamadev's admirers began to pray the multi-handed deity to return the punished body. Shiva fulfilled their request only partially, Kamadev began to acquire his former appearance only for three months. At this time, flowers and trees come to life, the world is ruled by love. It is this legend that gives an answer to the question of what time of the year the Holi holiday is dedicated. Of course, the celebration allows people to greet the spring.

Holiday and regions

The attitude of the Hindus to the colorful celebration depends on which region of the country they live in. The greatest respect for the holiday of spring Holi enjoys in the northern part of the state. In the days of his fascination he is amazed by the abundance of colorful ornaments (pink, white, red, purple), they hang literally everywhere. Bright colors also acquire the walls of buildings, flower bouquets are everywhere. Dyestuffs are bought in incredible quantities, they are stocked by "northerners" and special sprayers, some construct them with their own hands.

The most devoted worshipers of Holi flock to the city of Vrndavana, where, according to tradition, Krishna was born. The festivities do not end for several days.

Relatively respect for the celebration is not demonstrated by all people living in India. The holiday of Holi in the south of the country is celebrated with a smaller scale, mostly in the entertainment involved boys and girls. Mothers and fathers give presents to children on this day. In the central part of the country it is customary to decorate houses with orange flags, which symbolize the fire element.

Preparing for the celebration

Preparing for this large-scale event was made a few weeks before it began. The greatest enthusiasm, of course, is demonstrated by young people who scour the neighborhood, collecting combustible materials, with which you can build bonfires. It is curious that the theft of such material in Hindus is considered an achievement that can be proud of.

Of course, people are stocked with colors, which during the holiday you can pour on each other. They are made from dyes, harmless to the skin, and corn flour. Most Indians acquire such colors in stores, some prefer to create them themselves.

Fiery Night

Holi is a holiday in India, the date of which is chosen depending on when the full moon will be. The event begins with the onset of the evening, the main event is the telling of the fire to the effigy of the insidious girl Kholiki. The flame of the fires not only helps keep warm, but also drives out evil spirits that triumphed in the winter. In the fire, not only scarecrows are burned, but also fruits, grain, flowers and other gifts of Hindus to the fiery god. It does not do without ritual dances, dances, singing, playing musical instruments. Desperate brave men jump over burning fires, step on the burning coals, demonstrating their courage.

Particular attention is paid to dances, with their help reproduce pictures of how Krishna is flirting with the young beauties. Guys and girls not only dance, but also diligently pour each other with colored water, competing in who will leave more paint on the body of the "victim". Also bhang is sipped - a traditional holiday drink, which is made from the juice of cannabis, sugar and dairy products. Do not forget the Indians and their numerous gods, the statuettes of which it is customary on this night to swing on a swing.

Continuation of the holiday

The history of the Holi festival says that for several centuries the folk festivities associated with it have lasted for several days. After a fiery night, the people of the country visit friends and relatives who offer them fruit and sweets. Girls receive gifts from fans, husbands present beautiful dresses to women. During the festivities, the inhabitants and guests of India scatter the colored powder everywhere, throwing it into the air. This action symbolizes the dispersion of adversity, new hopes. Everything around becomes multicolored.

The holiday of Holi is adored by children, as during its holding they are allowed any pranks. Do not restrain themselves and gay adults, regardless of age committed to fascinating children's fun. The event is not worth visiting prudish people who can not relax, as well as those who worry about their clothes. There is a high probability that the paint does not wash out. It is not surprising that "experienced" holiday visitors prefer to put on things that can then simply be thrown away.

End of the holiday

All good things come to an end, including the Holi festival. At about 4 pm on the third day of the festivities, the Hindus leave colorful streets, returning to their homes. Those who managed to have a good time, are waiting for the soon-to-be fulfillment of the cherished desires expressed during the celebration. Flushing the paint is sometimes necessary within a few hours, but the pleasure experienced costs such efforts.

So celebrated in India holiday Holi. Then the Hindus return to workdays, charged with energy for a whole year, properly prepared for the spring.

Holiday analogues

The festival of colors can also be found in European countries, whose inhabitants gladly adopted this wonderful tradition among the Indians. For example, in England the holiday is celebrated from 2013, a year earlier it was held in Germany and Holland. The reason for the holiday is the same as in India - the greeting of spring, farewell to the disgusting winter.

It is not necessary to visit other countries to attend the Holi festival. The Festival of Colors has been successfully held in Russia for several years already. Unfortunately, this event is being held only in Moscow and St. Petersburg. However, soon the holiday will be celebrated in 10 major megacities of the state.