Holi is one such festival of India which has both mythological and cultural significance and is the most awaited festival of the year. Celebrated by people irrespective of their religion, caste and creed; this festival creates an environment of togetherness and as India is very well-known as a country with “Unity in diversity” it comes true with this festival.

Holi marks the beginning of the spring season and is celebrated on the full moon day of the phalguna month. You will find kids rushing to the nearby shops with their parents to get colours, water guns and balloons for the festivities. Preparations begin at home a week before the festival. The aroma of the mouth watering sweets spreading through the streets will enhance your festival spirits.

The festival is celebrated to mark the triumph of good over evil. Also, this is an occasion for all of us to understand the importance of being united and spreading the message that one can win any battle by staying together.

The benefits of celebrating Holi are:

• It strengthens the bond between the people
• Organic colours used in this festival works as a good skin-care treatment
• The heat generated during the holika dahan kills the bacteria in our body
• The smoke of the Holi pyre destroys harmful insects like mosquitoes and flies
• Since the festival comes after the winter season it actually revitalises people and brings them out of the lazy mood.

Holi festival is in practise right from ancient times and there are many mythological stories associated with it. One of the famous legends is that of the demon king Hiranyakashyap and his son Prahlada who was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu.

Hiranyakashyap frustrated by his son’s devotion towards his enemy Lord Vishnu made him take the tough decision of burning his son with his sister holika who had the boon of being immune to the fire. But, appeased by the small kid Prahlada’s utmost devotion, Vishnu saved him from burning and in this process Holika got burnt.

The effigy of Holika is made on the night before the Holi festival and people perform puja and go around the pyre seeking protection from all evil energies. Later, the Holika pyre is burnt. The next day, people of all age groups come out of their houses, apply colours to each other and spread the message of love and compassion.