Posted on : 11th
Feb 2010
The beautiful and alluring season of spring is here. It is also the season
of promises, of hope and of fresh new beginnings. With optimism and
innocence all around, it is also the time to celebrate one of the most
famously infamous festivals, Holi or Vasant Utsav. Indians the world over
will be celebrating Holi when the calender shows 1st March 2010. Holika
Dahan is on 28 February and Rangpanchami is on a Panchami (fifth day of the
full moon) and will mark the end of festivities.
According to the Indian calender, Holi is celebrated at the end of the
winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month of Phalguna. The
date of this springtime festival keeps changing in the more commonly
followed Gregorian calender. Holi falls either on end February or beginning
of March.
Actually the festival really begins many days in advance, with 'Holi Milan'
or Baithaks (gatherings where people sing playfully) where folk songs
related to the festival are sung. The epic love story of Radha Krishna
features prominently in these songs. The special type of songs, which we all
know as 'Hori' are sung as well. Krishna was an avatar or reincarnation of
Lord Vishnu. He was understood to have started the tradition of playing with
colours with Gopis in ancient Brijbhoomi.
In most parts of the country Holi festivities usually last two days. It
begins with Holika Dahan or the lighting of bonfires. Holika was the sister
of the evil king Hiranyakshyap who wanted to punish his young son for
worshipping Lord Vishnu instead of him. But, the funeral pyre in which
Holika (who was understood to be immune to fire) sat with Prahlad consumed
her and Bhakta Prahlad appeared unscathed. Thus, the word Holika Dahan in
Hindi language means burning down of Holika. It signifies the victory of
good over evil. The day is also popularly called 'Chhoti Holi'. The word
Holi has also originated from the word Holika.
Dhulendi or 'Badi Holi' is one of the most awaited days of all in the Hindu
culture after the festival of Diwali. In fact, this is the day when Holi is
played all over the country. Holi celebrations reach a peak on this day.
People wear light coloured clothes and play with holi colours on Dhulendi.
It is customary to wet each other thoroughly with water and water colours
using a pichkari on Holi. Pichkaris are shaped like giant syringes or squirt
guns that are used to throw scented and coloured water. Indian Gifts Portal
is a one stop solution when it comes to celebrating Holi with pomp and
energy. There is a variety of holi gifts like pichkaris, holi colours,
sprays and holi kurtas and suits available that add to the colour of
celebrations.
It is also customary to greet each other with 'bura na mano holi hai'
before acting completely naughty and pouring colours on each other. Enmity
is forgotten on this festival and people make it a point to visit and greet
everyone alike.
Singing, dancing and making merry is one of the integral parts of any holi
celebration. Even in todays' age when music is played using all kinds of
electronic gadgets, people dance and sing to the tune of dholak on Holi. The
drink bhang ki thandai is an intoxicating milk shake drunk on Holi. This is
made by churning bhang (cannabis leaves) and mixing it with milk, almonds,
sugar and spices.
Also, there is a tradition of exchanging popular Indian sweets and dry
fruits on Holi. Sweets and mithai include gujiya, puran poli, dahi badas,
papads, kanji, mathri, malpuas. With a faster and quicker way of gifting
through e-marketplace like Indian Gifts Portal, it is no longer necessary
for one to spend a lot of time in making a variety of sweets and arranging
for pooja ki thali and god idols.
Logon to
http://www.indiangiftsportal.com/
OR
http://holi-gifts.indiangiftsportal.com/