The festival of colours Holi is celebrated with great zeal and people of all castes and creed unite to enjoy this festival. The celebrations vary from one state to another but everywhere we can see people coming together and taking an active part in the event. This festival falls on the full moon day of the Hindu month Phalguna that is during the month of March.

On the day of Holi, people irrespective of their age and gender walk out of their houses and enjoy splashing colours at each other. Women start their preparations a week before the festivities and various sweets are prepared during this occasion. This festival is by and large in practice to mark the victory of good over evil. Also, the festival brings in a sense of unity among people and therefore has gained a lot of importance.

This festival benefits us in various ways like:

• The bond between the people get stronger when they come together
• Colours have healing abilities so by applying colours one can get rid of skin related problems.
• During the ritual of Holika Dahan, the smoke generated from the fire kills the mosquitoes and other harmful insects. Also, the heat of the fire will destroy the bacterias in our body
• The celebrations of Holi festival will reactivate you and bring you out of the winter mood
• The ash of Holika dahan mixed with sandalwood paste is regarded to be the best medicine for skincare.

As per the Vedic scriptures, the festival of Holi came into existence with the mythological legend of Prahlada and his father the demon king Hiranyakashyap. Prahlada was the biggest follower of Lord Vishnu while his father considered himself to be God and wanted others to worship him.

Despite Hiranyakashyap stopping Prahlada from worshipping Vishnu, Prahlada continued the same. So, to get rid of his son; Hiranyakashyap told his sister Holika who had got the boon of being immune to the fire to sit on the pyre with Prahlada. But, because of Prahlada’s belief in Lord Vishnu he was saved and Holika got burnt and evil was destroyed by the virtuous.

On the night before Holi, people make the effigy of Holika and wood as well cow dung cakes are kept around it. People go round the Holika prathima and seek protection from the almighty and later Holika Dahan is performed. The next morning; men, women and kids of all age groups gather and apply colours to each other to mark the victory of good over bad.