India is known as the land of festivals and no other festival brings out the vibrancy of our composite culture as Holi. The festival celebrates the spirit of Spring and triumph of good over evil. There’s food, bhaang, colours, music and lots of fun. What’s not to love about the vibrant festival of colours!
Holi is also a time when people from far and wide travel to their hometowns to celebrate with their loved ones. Just so that your leaves get approved in time, we have you covered for Holi 2018.
Here are the date, significance and story behind Holi:
When is Holi 2018?
Holi or Dhulandi in 2018 will be celebrated on 2 March. Holika Dahan or Choti Holi, as it is popularly called in some parts of the country, will be celebrated on 1 March.
2018 Holika Dahan Muhurta
According to drikPanchang, the muhurta or mahurat for Holika Dahan is between 6:18 pm and 8: 47 pm on Thursday 1 March.
Duration: 2 Hours 30 Mins
Bhadra Punchha: 3:54 to 4:58 pm
Bhadra Mukha: 4:58 to 6:45 pm
According to Hindu scriptures, Holika Dahan should be done during Pradosh Kaal (which starts after sunset) while Purnimasi Tithi is prevailing. During Bhadra, all the auspicious work should be avoided.
Holi, on the other hand, is celebrated on the last full moon of the Hindu lunar month Phalguna. The festival is also known to be the harbinger of spring, fertility and vitality.
Also Read: 7 Things About Braj Ki Holi You Must Know
Why Is Holi Celebrated?
According to Indian mythology, Holi signifies the victory of good over evil and is tied to the story of Prince Prahlad and Holika. Here goes the story:
Prahlad was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. This enraged his father, a powerful king named Hiranyakashyap, who wanted to be worshipped instead. Incensed by the supposed impertinence of his son, his father conspired to get him killed through fire. It was decided that Prahlad would sit on the lap of Holika – the King’s demon sister. Holika was blessed with a boon which provided her immunity against the flames of fire.
However, to everyone’s surprise, once the pyre was lit, Prahlad started chanting Vishnu’s name and came out unscathed as opposed to Holika who was consumed by the flames.
Since then, Holika Dahan is celebrated across the country wherein people prepare a pyre of wood to be burnt later to signify victory of good over evil.
There are myriad myths associated with the festival but the story of Prahlad and Holika remains the most popular among all.
Holi: Fun, Festivities and Frolic
The day after Holika Dahan is celebrated as Dhulandi or the carnival of colours. People smear each other’s faces with colours, gulaal and more. Delicious food is made in almost every house to celebrate the festival. Sweets (especially gujiya) and gifts are exchanged and bhaang gobbled down. Water guns, various forms of colours and flowers are used for the festivities. Children can be seen running with pichkaris and water balloons on the streets and terraces.
Bollywood, over the years, has depicted the grandeur of the festival on celluloid and introduced people to peppy Holi songs. You can easily find people dancing to the beats of Rang Barse, Dekho Aayi Holi, Hori khele raghubeera and more during Holi parties.
Holi is also celebrated as a day to forgive and forget. People let go off their differences and embrace friends and foes alike, leaving behind past bitterness.
Holi is also celebrated in different ways across the country – Dol Jatra (Odisha/West Bengal), Braj i Holi, Lathmar Holi and more.
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