Holi (హోలీ)
Phalguna · Mar · North
The festival of colors, one of the most visually spectacular celebrations in the world. On Holi morning, people of all ages take to the streets and drench each other with colored powder (gulaal) and water, using water guns, water balloons, and buckets. Nobody is spared, and the atmosphere is pure joyful chaos. The night before the color festivities, communities light a large bonfire called Holika Dahan, burning an effigy of the demoness Holika. The story goes that the demon king Hiranyakashipu wanted to kill his own son Prahlada because Prahlada was devoted to Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu's sister Holika, who had a boon that fire could not burn her, sat in a blazing fire with Prahlada on her lap. But because of Prahlada's faith, Holika burned and Prahlada survived unharmed. Holi is most popular in North India, especially in Mathura and Vrindavan (Krishna's homeland), where the celebrations last for days and are connected to Krishna's playful nature. The story goes that young Krishna, who had dark blue skin, was jealous of Radha's fair complexion, so his mother Yashoda told him to go color Radha's face. Telugu families celebrate the day as "Kamuni Punnami," which connects to a different story: Kamadeva (the god of love) shot a flower arrow at Shiva to wake him from meditation, and Shiva opened his third eye and burned Kamadeva to ashes. Traditional foods include gujiya (sweet dumplings), thandai (a spiced milk drink), and puran poli.
Why it matters
Celebrates the triumph of good over evil (Prahlada surviving Holika's fire) and the divine love between Radha and Krishna. It is also a celebration of spring and new beginnings.
Traditions
- Throwing colored powder (gulaal)
- Water guns and water balloons
- Holika Dahan bonfire
- Drinking thandai
- Eating gujiya sweets
Dates
- 2025: 2025-03-14 to 2025-03-15
- 2026: 2026-03-03 to 2026-03-04
- 2027: 2027-03-22 to 2027-03-23
The story behind it: Prahlada and the Man-Lion