Holi, Indian Festival

Holi which is an Indian festival is often referred to as "festival of colors" comes usually on a full moon day in the month of either February or March. March 1st and 2nd was celebrated as Holi this year.

So, let me tell you the story behind this festival. There was a demon called Hiranyakasipu who used to hate Lord Vishnu since he killed his brother Hiranyaksha earlier. But his son, Prahlad was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. He tried to persuade Prahlad to make him stop worshipping Lord Vishnu but he failed at it miserably. So, he decided to kill his son with the help of his sister, Holika who had a boon that she won't be killed when burned by fire. He asked Holika to make his son Prahlad to sit on her lab and he would burn him to ashes. But to his surpise, nothing happened to Prahlad but Holika burnt down to ashes. Since, then holi became the day to celebrate good over evil.

Holi is usually celebrated two days. The first day is called 'Holika Dahan' where the people burn the some stuff and gather around it to offer prayers. The second day is called 'Holi' where people celebrate it by applying colors to each other.

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So, today was the second day of Holi and during my childhood and college days, my friends and me used to celebrate it merrily by applying colors to each other. It was next level of fun and enjoyment. But, as I am working now, I had to go to my workplace on weekdays but we managed to play holi even in the office by applying colors to each other. It wasn't as fun as before but I enjoyed it as I didn't expect to apply colors to each other in office.

The below picture is taken in my office where we applied colors to our hands.