Holi, the festival of colors

Holi is an Indian festival celebrated in the days preceding the full moon of the month of phalguna (February-March).

Holi marks the beginning of spring: in ancient times it was a festival linked to agriculture, during which, precisely, the first harvests after winter were celebrated. Today we could describe it as a carnival and a new year at the same time. Why?

The celebrations of Holi take place over the course of two days. During the first, a bonfire is lit to inaugurate the beginning of the fine season, to drive away the evil forces and celebrate the victory of good over evil. The second is dedicated entirely to pure fun: people take to the streets or climb onto the roofs of the cities and throw colored powders or water at passers-by – or at the neighbours –, people play, dance, sing and exchange delicacies. If you want to know the mythological references behind this custom, read below!

The myths Holi is linked to

Why the bonfire?

Once upon a time there was the demon Hiraṇyakaśipu who had a son named Prahlāda, extremely devoted to the god Viṣṇu. This made Hiraṇyakaśipu very envious, as he felt his authority questioned before Viṣṇu. Precisely for this reason, one day he devised a stratagem to destroy the god.

He ordered his son to climb onto a blazing pyre accompanied by the wicked aunt Holikā (sister of Hiraṇyakaśipu). The son consented and once on top of the pyre he began to pray to Viṣṇu to be protected. Holikā, however, over the years had obtained the power of being immune to fire and, although she was in league with her brother, she was sure she would be spared. Yet it was precisely she who was punished for her evil intentions and was reduced to ashes, and Prahlāda was saved.

For this reason, lighting the bonfire on the first day of Holi recalls the triumph of good (Prahlāda) over Holikā (evil).

Why the colors?

The god Kṛṣṇa has always been madly in love with the shepherdess Radha. However, it is told that the god, who had dark skin, as a child was jealous of Radha's fair complexion.

One day, he complained about it to his mother, Yaśodā, who jokingly advised him to put some color on Radha's face and see how her complexion would change.

The young and mischievous Kṛṣṇa took his mother's words seriously, went to Radha and the other shepherdesses and began a true game of love in which colored water and powders were splashed.