Turning back on our history pages, we find two prominent stories that sets the stage for the first ever Holi in the world. The first story is the more prominent one, thanks to television.
Prahlad, the son of the demon king Hiranya Kashyap is an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. Frustrated, King Hiranya Kashyap ordered his sister Holika who was blessed with fire resistance, to take his son and sit on a flaming pyre. Holika sat with Prahlad but Lord Vishnu intervened and the flames engulfed Holika while Prahlad remained unscathed.
The second story is about Lord Krishna. Due to drinking the poisonous breastmilk of Putana, Lord Krishna acquired his characteristic blue skin. As a child he would worry if Radha would ever accept him for his different skin color. His mother gave him an idea, splash color on Radha so that her skin and his, will not be different. Radha eventually accepted Krishna for himself and to celebrate, they played with colours with everyone else.
These stories help us understand the vitality of being accepted for who we are and the colours are a symbolism of how our differences makes us unique.
If anyone thought Holi is just celebrated in India, they are in for a big surprise. Holi is celebrated in Nepal, Bangladesh, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Mauritius, and Fiji.
In Nepal, one week before Holi, a Chir (bamboo pole) is erected at the Hanuman temple called Hanuman Dhoka in Kathmandu. On the eve of Holi, the pole is taken down and burnt to symbolize the burning away of the evil Holika. Each country has their own unique way of celebrating, but the overarching theme remains the same; colours and loads of fun.
Holi would be incomplete without everyone huddling around a bonfire as the sun sets and celebrations with friends and family begin. The story behind the bonfires can be traced back to the story of Prahlad. Since ages, people have been commemorating the burning of Holika which symbolizes the end of evil in every shape and form.
We hope these facts will help you cherish Holi even more now. At Embassy Springs, we believe nature is beautiful and that everyday should be a festival of colours. That is why we have over 100+ varieties of trees and shrubs with a variety of flowers. Our open spaces are covered with grasses and as you sit back and relax, let the colors around you soothe and relax you to the core. Come experience beauty, experience colors at Bangalore’s biggest and best planned city
