sapere aude!: The festival of colours

Holi (also known as Dhuli in Sanskrit) is a religious spring festival celebrated by Hindus. It is primarily observed in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and countries with large Indic diaspora populations, such as Suriname, Malaysia, Guyana, South Africa, Fiji, United Kingdom and the US. Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (February/March).

Every year, thousands of Hindus participate in the festival Holi. The festival has many purposes. First and foremost, it welcomes the beginning of spring and celebrates the new energy of the season. With honouring good harvests and worshiping the fertile land they say farewell to winter. It also has a religious purpose, commemorating many events that are present in Hindu mythology.

One of Holi’s biggest customs is the loosening strictness of social structures, which normally include age, sex, status and caste. Holi closes the wide gaps between social classes and brings Hindus together. Together, the rich and poor, women and men, enjoy each other’s presence on this joyous day. Additionally, Holi lowers the strictness of social norms. No one expects polite behavior; as a result, the atmosphere is filled with excitement and joy.

The Holi legend

Holika was a female demon, and the sister of Hiranyakashyap, the demon king. Hiranyakashyap considered himself ruler of the Universe, and higher than all the gods.

Prahalad was the king's son. His father hated him because Prahalad was a faithful devotee of the god Vishnu.

One day the king asked him "Who is the greatest, God or I?"

"God is," said the son, "you are only a king."

The king was furious and decided to murder his son.

But the king's attempts at murder didn't work too well. Prahalad survived being thrown over a cliff, being trampled by elephants, bitten by snakes, and attacked by soldiers.

So the king asked his sister, Holika, to kill the boy.

Holika seized Prahalad and sat in the middle of a fire with the boy on her lap.

Holika had been given a magic power by the gods that made her immune to fire, so she thought this was a pretty good plan, and Prahalad would burn to death while she remained cool.

But it's never wise to take gods' gifts for granted! Because Holika was using her gift to do something evil, her power vanished and she was burned to ashes. Prahalad stayed true to his God, Vishnu, and sat praying in the lap of his demon aunt. Vishnu protected him, and Prahalad survived.

Shortly afterwards, Vishnu killed King Hiranyakashyap and Prahad ruled as a wise king in his father's place.