Stories of Holi Festival

Stories of Holi Festival

Let us recount shortly the stories behind the Holi festival.A story from the Bhavishyottara purana says that there was once a demoness by name Dhonda or Dhoonda,who was the daughter of a demon called Mali,who did penance on Lord Shiva and took a boon that she should be invincible,in that she should not be killed by humans, demons,gods,and by weapons,hot and cold seasons,or in the rainy season, and either in the day or at night, either in the house or outside the house.Shiva granted her the boon but warned her that if excited people shouted obscene words at her she would shrink and die.Arrogant of such a boon,she started torturing people, especially children and youngsters.She would shout Adaadaa and attack the people.At that time,a king called Raghu was ruling the earth, and saw that she could not be killed by weapons or mantras by anyone.Not knowing what to do he consulted his family priest Sage Vasishtha,who disclosed her secret,and then said that all youngsters should join together fearlessly the next day on the full moon night of the bright fortnight of Phalguna month,and put a bonfire using all dried sticks and grass.Then,they had to chant mantras called Rakshoghna mantras (protective mantras), and then circumambulate it, laughing, clapping, and singing.They had to sing obscene and vulgar songs in local language.The fire sacrifice, obscene songs,and laughters would make the demoness weak and die.Accordingly the people did and the demoness died.This is commemorated by making bonfire and singing and dancing on the full moon night of Holi and playing colours the next day.The reason for singing sensual songs on Holi is this, and it is a release action for a controlled life in the whole year.It also denotes the arrival of the spring season when fertility and creation is begun.The throwing of colours is to express the blooming of flowers.Thus,Holi is a part of the Vasantotsava, spring festival.A version of the story says that the demoness was also called Holika,and hence the name Holi.It is also said that Holika means that which destroys evil and that is the purpose of the bonfire.

    Another story is that there was a demoness called Holika,who was the sister of Hiranyakashipu.When Hiranyakashipu could not kill his son Prahlada who was devoted to Lord Vishnu,he tried to kill him through his sister as a last resort.Holika had a boon from Agni that she wouldn't get burnt in the fire.Hence she took the boy Prahlada on her lap and sat on the pyre.However, because she tried to harm a great devotee, the boon turned reverse,as she got burnt and Prahlada came out safe.Another version of the story is that she had a magic blanket on covering which she wouldn't get burnt.However wind blew and the blanket flew over Prahlada's body and he got saved and she got burnt.In order to commemorate this,a bonfire is made.

    It is also said that Lord Shiva burnt Kamadeva, the god of love on this day when he tried to distract him from his tapas,so that he would get attracted to Parvati and thereby marry her to beget a son to kill the demon Tarakasura,who had obtained the boon from Lord Brahma that he should die from Shiva's son.His logic was that since Shiva's wife Sati had died he couldn't have any son.When Kama was burnt,his wife Rati was about to immolate herself when a voice told her that Kama would come back to life when Shiva would marry Parvati.Parvati,who was none other than Sati reborn, did tapas to please Shiva and he married her.Kama was restored to life,but was bodyless from then onwards and could be seen only by Rati.It is said that the bonfire is done to commemorate this event of burning Kama,and hence is called Kamadahana.The idea is that bad desires should be burnt and good desires should be favoured.Also, the idea that Kama is seen only to Rati indicates that Kama or desire should be expressed outside as an art,and enjoyed inside, personally.

      Krishna is generally shown playing Holi colours with Radha and gopis, the cowherd girls.Local legends say that Krishna was living in Nandagav,or Vrindavan, while Radha was a resident of the village Barsana, near Nandagav.Krishna used to visit Barsana on this day and play Holi and mischief  with Radha and her friends while she and her friends would hit him with sticks and drive him out.This is commemorated as Laathmaar Holi,where the boys of Nandagav go to Barsana to play Holi with the girls there.The girls of Barsana, like Radha hit the boys,who are like Krishna,with sticks,and they try to protect themselves with shields.After this they all play colours and enjoy the celebration.

  Thus,Holi has many stories.It is mainly a festival of enjoyment where love and creative spirit of spring season is celebrated and people of all castes,creeds and sections are brought together.