Gulaal, gujia and mayhem—Bura na mano, Holi hai!
Holi (also called Holika) is an annual Hindu festival of colours celebrated on the day after the full moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun (March). It celebrates the arrival of spring and is a commemoration various events in Hindu mythology and is time for disregarding social norms and indulging in general celebrations and merrymaking.
Holi is probably the one of the least religious Hindu festivals. During Holi, Hindus generally light a bonfire on the eve of Holi and on the day spray friends and family with colours, both dry and mixed in water. Holi is also a time to drink bhang (a drink made of cannabis) in the name of Lord Shiva. So Holi is the time when humans and their environment cast away the grey and gloom of winter and embrace the colour and celebration of spring. Holi is typically celebrated all across India also as an agricultural festival, its form and rituals may differ depending on what state of India you are from.
The most popular legend commemorated by this festival of colours involves an evil king named Hiranyakashyapa who forbade his son Prahlad from worshipping Lord Vishnu. But Prahlad continued to offer prayers to the lord defying his father. This annoyed King who made various attempts to kill Prahlad. During a particular attempt on Prahlad's life, King Hiranyakashyapa called upon his sister Holika for help. Holika had a special cloak that protected her from being harmed by fire. Hiranyakashyapu asked her to sit on a pyre with Prahlad, by tricking the boy to sit on her lap. The legend has it that Holika had to pay the price of her sinister desire with her life. Everyone watched in amazement as Holika was burnt to death while Prahlad survived without a scar. Prahlad, who kept chanting the name of Vishnu, came out unscathed as Vishnu blessed him for his extreme devotion.
In other beliefs, the festival of Holi is also associated with the enduring love between Lord Krishna (an incarnation of Vishnu) and Radha. According to legend, the young Krishna complained to his mother Yashoda about why Radha was so fair and he so dark. Yashoda advised him to apply colour on Radha's face and see how her complexion would change. Because of this association with Krishna, Holi is extended over a longer period in Vrindavan and Mathura, two cities with which Krishna is closely affiliated.
Holi, in general, is spread out over two days (it used to be five, and in some places it is longer). The entire celebration is associated with letting go of social restrictions and simply indulging in playful celebrations of colours. It is a day that brings people of all ages, castes and colours together. Often people get away with a lot by using a common saying heard during Holi Bura na mano, Holi hai (Don't feel offended, it's Holi).
On the eve of Holi, a public bonfire is lit, commemorating the burning of Holika. The fire is lit sometime between 10 p.m. and midnight.
New Zealand also celebrates Holi in its own unique way. Here are some celebrations you might want to join for Holi this year.
Holi celebrations in New Zealand
Waitakere Indian Association
Live DJ music, dance, food stalls and a special set up for people to enjoy the festival of colours—the Waitakere Indian Association has planned a vibrant celebration, which takes place over the Easter weekend.
Date: Sunday, March 27
Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Venue: Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mt Lebanon Lane, Henderson
Holi—colours in the park
In its fourth year, Holi—colours in the park, an annual event by Humm FM, will have food, music, entertainment and an explosion of colours, which will be followed by a first-ever outdoor screening of a Bollywood film from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Date: Saturday, April 2
Time: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Venue: Three Kings Reserve, Auckland
Hindu Council of New Zealand
The Wellington chapter of Hindu Council of New Zealand has organised two free events: the Holika Dahan (bonfire), which will be followed by the celebration of the festival of colours.
Date: Holi colours celebration on March 26
Time: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Venue: Riddiford Garden, next to War Memorial Library, Lower Hutt CBD
Holi (also called Holika) is an annual Hindu festival of colours celebrated on the day after the full moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun (March). It celebrates the arrival of spring and is a commemoration various events in Hindu mythology and is time for disregarding social norms and indulging in...
Holi (also called Holika) is an annual Hindu festival of colours celebrated on the day after the full moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun (March). It celebrates the arrival of spring and is a commemoration various events in Hindu mythology and is time for disregarding social norms and indulging in general celebrations and merrymaking.
Holi is probably the one of the least religious Hindu festivals. During Holi, Hindus generally light a bonfire on the eve of Holi and on the day spray friends and family with colours, both dry and mixed in water. Holi is also a time to drink bhang (a drink made of cannabis) in the name of Lord Shiva. So Holi is the time when humans and their environment cast away the grey and gloom of winter and embrace the colour and celebration of spring. Holi is typically celebrated all across India also as an agricultural festival, its form and rituals may differ depending on what state of India you are from.
The most popular legend commemorated by this festival of colours involves an evil king named Hiranyakashyapa who forbade his son Prahlad from worshipping Lord Vishnu. But Prahlad continued to offer prayers to the lord defying his father. This annoyed King who made various attempts to kill Prahlad. During a particular attempt on Prahlad's life, King Hiranyakashyapa called upon his sister Holika for help. Holika had a special cloak that protected her from being harmed by fire. Hiranyakashyapu asked her to sit on a pyre with Prahlad, by tricking the boy to sit on her lap. The legend has it that Holika had to pay the price of her sinister desire with her life. Everyone watched in amazement as Holika was burnt to death while Prahlad survived without a scar. Prahlad, who kept chanting the name of Vishnu, came out unscathed as Vishnu blessed him for his extreme devotion.
In other beliefs, the festival of Holi is also associated with the enduring love between Lord Krishna (an incarnation of Vishnu) and Radha. According to legend, the young Krishna complained to his mother Yashoda about why Radha was so fair and he so dark. Yashoda advised him to apply colour on Radha's face and see how her complexion would change. Because of this association with Krishna, Holi is extended over a longer period in Vrindavan and Mathura, two cities with which Krishna is closely affiliated.
Holi, in general, is spread out over two days (it used to be five, and in some places it is longer). The entire celebration is associated with letting go of social restrictions and simply indulging in playful celebrations of colours. It is a day that brings people of all ages, castes and colours together. Often people get away with a lot by using a common saying heard during Holi Bura na mano, Holi hai (Don't feel offended, it's Holi).
On the eve of Holi, a public bonfire is lit, commemorating the burning of Holika. The fire is lit sometime between 10 p.m. and midnight.
New Zealand also celebrates Holi in its own unique way. Here are some celebrations you might want to join for Holi this year.
Holi celebrations in New Zealand
Waitakere Indian Association
Live DJ music, dance, food stalls and a special set up for people to enjoy the festival of colours—the Waitakere Indian Association has planned a vibrant celebration, which takes place over the Easter weekend.
Date: Sunday, March 27
Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Venue: Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mt Lebanon Lane, Henderson
Holi—colours in the park
In its fourth year, Holi—colours in the park, an annual event by Humm FM, will have food, music, entertainment and an explosion of colours, which will be followed by a first-ever outdoor screening of a Bollywood film from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Date: Saturday, April 2
Time: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Venue: Three Kings Reserve, Auckland
Hindu Council of New Zealand
The Wellington chapter of Hindu Council of New Zealand has organised two free events: the Holika Dahan (bonfire), which will be followed by the celebration of the festival of colours.
Date: Holi colours celebration on March 26
Time: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Venue: Riddiford Garden, next to War Memorial Library, Lower Hutt CBD
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