Holi (March 25th, 2024)

Holi is the Hindu “Festival of Colors.” Its timing is impeccable, announcing the arrival of spring with joy and gratitude. This ancient Hindu festival extends across borders, unifying the entire Hindu diaspora across national identities.

It’s a time to celebrate joy and friendship. But it also celebrates a bigger ideal – the timeless story of good winning against evil.

History of Holi

The Holi tradition arose out of Hindu mythology. Holi started with a tale as old as time – the story of an ancient king, Hiranyakashipu. Hiranyakashipu was arrogant and evil. Contrary to Hindu beliefs, he demanded universal worship from all his subjects.

He had a devout son, Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu grew enraged over his son’s perceived betrayal. He ordered several harsh punishments to be carried out against his son. Still, Prahlad kept his faith and miraculously survived his father’s persecution.

The story ends with Hiranyakashipu putting his son and sister over a fire to burn them alive, Holika. Despite being fireproof, Holika perished in flames while Prahlad survived – the opposite outcome he wanted. The tale represents good over evil.

Another popular Holi concept is love. Pure love is presented in the story of Lord Krishna and Radha. Krishna had blue skin after a demoness placed a curse on him. He feared that Radha would not love him with his blue skin.

Much to his surprise, Radha invited Lord Krishna to paint her face as he pleased. This act revealed her unconditional adoration of her partner. This act is seen as the epitome of love and acceptance in Hindu Tradition.

How to Celebrate Holi

Is Holi a new idea to you? Here are some fun ways to participate:

Lighting the Holika Bonfire

The tradition of lighting a Holika bonfire on the eve of Holi is a symbol of the first legend of Holi.. Large bonfires symbolize the burning of evil, represented by Holika.

People gather around these fires, engaging in rituals like praying and throwing roasting grains, coconut, and popcorn into the flames.

The air fills with hymns and prayers as the community reflects on the legends of Holi and the triumph of good over evil.

Playing with Colors

Playing with colors is the heart of Holi’s celebration. Streets and homes come alive as people take to the stress across India.

There, they playfully smear each other with a fine powder called gulal. In a modern twist, many arrive with water guns and balloons full of colored water, adding to the playful spirit of the day.

The colorful tradition symbolizes the spreading of love and joy. People wear their most colorful clothing to the celebration, then indulge in the spread of these rainbow hues. It is a time to celebrate life and friendship.

Enjoying Festive Foods

Festive foods are central to the fun of Holi celebrations. Gujiya is a crescent-shaped sweet dumpling. Cooks pack the dumplings with sweetened khoya (milk solids) and nuts. Then, they deep-fry the treat until it has a light, crispy texture.

Other than Gujiya, the festival is known for bhang. That’s a traditional beverage prepared from cannabis leaves. A cannabis tea of sorts. It’s then mixed into sweets and drinks.

The food helps to create an exhilarating atmosphere. Savory snacks, sweets, and thandai—a spiced milk drink—are also part of the day’s offerings. It’s a food experience that complements the festival’s vibrancy.

Creating Holi Crafts and Decorations

Incorporate the spirit of Holi into your space by creating Holi-themed crafts and decorations. You might enjoy making vibrant paper flowers, colorful garlands, and paintings inspired by Holi’s colorful palette.

This activity not only enhances the festive atmosphere but also offers a creative outlet for expressing the joy and vibrancy associated with the festival.

Engaging in crafting sessions can be a fun and inclusive way for families and communities to come together and celebrate the spirit of Holi creatively.

Embracing Unity and Joy

Holi’s spirit transcends the mere act of playing with colors. Rather, it is a time when social hierarchies blur. Communities come together, united as one. It’s a day when people forget grievances and embrace one another in a spirit of forgiveness.

The festival becomes a platform for renewing old friendships and forging new ones, embodying unity, love, and collective joy.

Holi’s message of inclusivity and joy resonates deeply. The message makes it a festival that celebrates the arrival of spring and the essence of human bonds.

Organizing a Holi-Inspired 5K Color Run

A modern-day way to celebrate Holi could be to organize a 5K color run event. Runners pass through bursts of color, doused on them by race viewers along the route. This activity mimics the festive Holi atmosphere.

A 5K can also serve a charitable purpose by donating the funds raised to a social cause. It might just be the best embodiment of Holi: having fun and loving others.