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Holi, wide known arsenic nan Hindu show of colors, is simply a joyful yearly ceremony astatine nan advent of outpouring pinch taste and belief significance.
Typically observed successful March successful India, Nepal, different South Asian countries and crossed nan diaspora, nan show celebrates emotion and signifies a clip of rebirth and rejuvenation — a clip to clasp nan affirmative and fto spell of antagonistic energy.
For 1 of Holi’s astir well-known traditions, celebrants clad successful each white, travel retired to nan thoroughfare and throw colored powders astatine each other, leaving down a kaleidoscope of pigments and joy. Festivities pinch music, dancing and nutrient ensue.
WHEN IS HOLI CELEBRATED?
Holi is celebrated astatine nan extremity of wintertime and nan opening of spring, connected nan past afloat satellite time of nan Hindu luni-solar almanac period of Falgun. The day of nan show varies depending connected nan lunar cycle. Typically, it falls successful March, and will beryllium celebrated this twelvemonth connected March 25.
FILE - Teachers use colored powder connected different arsenic they observe Holi, nan Hindu show of colours, astatine a schoolhouse successful Ahmedabad, India, Thursday, March 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki, File)
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE STORIES ASSOCIATED WITH HOLI?
The vacation has its origins successful Hindu mythology and lore.
In 1 root story, nan king, Hiranyakashipu, ordered everyone successful his kingdom to believe him and was irked erstwhile his ain boy Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, disobeyed his command. So, he ordered his sister Holika who was immune from occurrence to return nan child, Prahlad, into a bonfire while holding him successful her lap. However, erstwhile nan pyre was lit, nan boy’s devotion to Lord Vishnu protected him and near him unscathed while Holika, contempt her immunity, burned to death.
Some besides see Holi a reference to Lord Krishna and his emotion for his beloved, Radha, and his cosmic play pinch his consorts and devotees called “gopikas,” who are besides revered for their unconditional emotion and devotion to Krishna.
HOW IS THE FESTIVAL OF COLORS CELEBRATED?
In galore parts of India, group ray ample bonfires nan nighttime earlier nan show to signify nan demolition of evil and triumph of good.
On nan time of Holi, full streets and towns are filled pinch group who propulsion colored powder successful nan air. Some fling balloons filled pinch colored h2o from rooftops and others usage squirt guns. For 1 day, it’s each adjacent game. Cries of “Holi hai!” which intends “It’s Holi!” tin beryllium heard connected nan streets. Holi has besides been romanticized and popularized complete nan decades successful Bollywood films.
FILE - A female dances arsenic she participates successful a convoy to people Falgun Mahotsav up of Holi, nan Hindu show of colors, successful Hyderabad, India, Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A., File)
The colors seen during Holi symbolize different things. Blue represents nan colour of Lord Krishna’s tegument while greenish symbolizes outpouring and rebirth. Red symbolizes matrimony aliases fertility while some reddish and yellowish — commonly utilized successful ritual and ceremonial — symbolize auspiciousness.
An array of typical foods are portion of nan celebration, pinch nan astir celebrated nutrient during Holi being “gujia,” a flaky, deep-fried saccharine pastry stuffed pinch beverage curd, nuts and dried fruits. Holi parties besides characteristic “thandai,” a acold portion prepared pinch a operation of almonds, fennel seeds, roseate petals, poppy seeds, saffron, beverage and sugar.
HOW IS HOLI CELEBRATED IN THE DIASPORA?
In North America and successful immoderate state pinch a Hindu population, group of Indian descent observe Holi pinch Bollywood parties and parades, arsenic good arsenic a big of nationalist and backstage gatherings. It is besides communal for Hindu temples and organization centers to shape taste programs, friends cricket matches and different festivities astir nan holiday.
FILE - People sing, creation and propulsion colors astatine each different to observe Holi show successful Hyderabad, India, Monday, March 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A., File)
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Associated Press belief sum receives support done nan AP’s collaboration pinch The Conversation US, pinch backing from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
