Holi Greetings from Lazoi.com
A custom or tradition is a long-established
action or pattern of behaviour in a community or group of people, often one
that has been handed down from generation to generation. So is the case with
Holi traditions and customs. It is a festival that has its roots in age old
beliefs and Indian mythology.
Holi
Bonfires
Holika Dahan or the lighting of bonfire takes
place on the eve of Holi. The day is also popularly called Chhoti Holi or the
Small Holi. On the Vasant Panchami day, almost 40 days before the Holi
festival, a wooden log is kept in a central public place. People go on throwing
twigs, dried leaves, and branches of trees on to that log which gradually grows
into a sizable heap. When it is time for Holika Dahan an effigy of Holika (made
of a combustible material) and Prahlad (a non-combustible effigy) is kept on
the logs. On the night of Phalguna Purnima, it is set alight amidst the
chanting of Rakshoghna Mantras of the Rig Veda.
Holi
Milan or Baithaks
Many days or sometimes weeks before the actual
Holi-day, people sit together and sing Holi songs in Holi Milans. These are
musical soirees or gatherings involving traditional Holi music. The love story
of Radha Krishna also features in these songs. Hori are the special type of
Holi folk songs which are also sung in these musical get-to-gethers.
Regional
Holi Celebrations
This festival of colours is played in most
parts of the country. The Holi celebrations have adapted a different regional
flavour in different parts of the country. Apart from the usual tradition of
playing with coloured powder and water, Holi also involves fun filled
processions of folk songs and dances. There is a sense of abandonment and an
underlying festive spirit to be seen in everyone.
Although Holi is mostly observed in north
India, it's celebrated with a special enthusiasm at Mathura, Vrindavan,
Nandgaon, and Barsana. The reason for the same is the close association of
these towns with Lord Krishna. Holi played by local Bhil tribesmen (of Madhya
Pradesh), by rural Maharashtrians (where Holi is known as Rangpanchami) and the
Holi festivities of Rajasthan (especially Jaisalmer) deserve a special mention.
Exchanging
Gifts
There is a popular tradition of greeting each
other with Holi gifts like Holi colours and traditional Indian sweets like
Gujiya, Gazak, Mathri, Malpuas and Dry fruits on Holi. This is a festival which
encourages the feeling of universal brotherhood. There is no differentiation
between friends and enemies on Holi. Everyone wishes every other person and
plays Holi with him/her.
Bhang in
Drinks and Sweets
Making and drinking bhang ki thandai is another
very popular custom of Holi. This drink is made by mixing bhang with thandai
(an Indian milk shake). Bhang is made from female cannabis or hemp plant; it
can be understood to be a homemade drug. People also mix bhang in sweets and
other preparations being offered to guests.
Playing
With Colours on Holi
Abeer and Gulal are the names for Holi colours.
These are the traditional and naturally made Holi colours. People also play
with coloured water using pichkaris and other squirt guns on Badi Holi or
Dhulendi. This coloured water is prepared using Tesu flowers.
The process involves gathering these flowers
from trees, grinding them, and mixing them with water to produce orange-yellow
coloured water. Another traditional Holi object now rarely seen is a red powder
filled in Lakh bowls which are broken to spread colour on everyone. Though
these days we have lost the touch with natural colours and synthetic or
artificial colours are being increasingly used on Holi.
These are some of the more popular Holi
customs. Holi is a festival that speaks of trust, love and goodwill. This is
probably the reason that all its traditions are also representative of this
feeling of brotherhood and the victory of good over evil.
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