Holi information & story

Holika and Prehlad story

There is a symbolic legend to explain why holi is well celebrated as a colour fest.

The word "Holi" originates from "Holika", the evil sister of demon king Hiranyakashipu. King Hiranyakashipu had earned a boon that made him virtually indestructible. The special powers blinded him, he grew arrogant, thought he was God, and demanded that everyone worship only him. Hiranyakashipu's own son, Prahlada, however, disagreed. He was and remained devoted to Vishnu.This infuriated Hiranyakashipu. He subjected Prahlada to cruel punishments, none of which affected the boy or his resolve to do what he thought was right.

Finally, Holika - Prahlada's evil aunt - tricked him into sitting on a pyre with her. Holika was wearing a cloak (shawl) that made her immune to injury from fire, while Prahlada was not. As the fire roared, the cloak flew from Holika and encased Prahlada.Holika burned, Prahlada survived.
Vishnu appeared and killed Hiranyakashipu. The bonfire is a reminder of the symbolic victory of good over evil, of Prahlada over Hiranyakashipu, of fire that burned Holika.

The day after Holika bonfire is celebrated as Holi.

Different names of Holi festival

Holi festival of color is also called "Dhuleti"

How to write Holi in multiple languages

Holi ( Hindi: होली, Nepali: होली, Punjabi: ਹੋਲੀ) is also known as Phakuwa or Phagwah (Assamese: ফাকুৱা), Festival of Colours, or Doḷajātra in Odisha, and as Dol Jatra (Assamese: দ’ল যাত্ৰা) or Basantotsav ("spring festival") in West Bengal and Assam. The customs and celebrations vary between regions of India.

Famous Holi drink

A popular drink on the day of holi – Thandai

(Serves 4-5)

Ingredients

...

Almonds – 15-20
aniseed – 2tsp
12-14 tsp powdered sugar (you can add more if required)
Cardamom – 8 pcs
Peppercorns - 2 tsp
Cumin seeds - 2 tsp
Poppy seeds -2 tsp
300-325ml water
400-425ml milk
Lots of crushed ice

Method:
Grind Cardamom,peppercorns,cumin seeds,poppy seeds,aniseed,and almonds.

Now take out these ingredients in a large Bowl. Add powdered sugar, water and milk.

Strain through Muslin cloth until liquid is smooth.

Pour the thandai in glasses and add lots of crushed ice in every glass.

Holi with safe colors

Orange and red

The flowers of palash or tesu tree, also called the flame of the forest, are typical source of bright red and deep orange colours. Powdered fragrant red sandal wood, dried hibiscus flowers, madder tree, radish and pomegranate are alternate sources and shades of red. Mixing lime with turmeric powder creates an alternate source of orange powder, as does boiling saffron (kesar) in water.

Green

Mehendi and dried leaves of gulmohur tree offer a source of green colour. In some areas, the leaves of spring crops and herbs have been used as source of green pigment.

Yellow

Haldi (turmeric) powder is the typical source of yellow colour. Sometimes this is mixed with chickpeas, gram or other flour to get the right shade. Bael fruit, amaltas, species of chrysanthemums, and species of marigold are alternate sources of yellow.

Blue

Indigo, Indian berries, species of grapes, blue hibiscus and jacaranda flowers are traditional sources of blue colour for Holi.

Magenta and purple

Beetroot is the traditional source of magenta and purple colour. Often these are directly boiled in water to prepare coloured water.

Brown

Dried tea leaves offer a source of brown coloured water. Certain clays are alternate source of brown.

Black

Species of grapes, fruits of amla (gooseberry) and vegetable carbon (charcoal) offer gray to black colours.

Wonderfu colors of Holi

holi bhangra dance

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Holi information & story