Prof(DR) R.D.Gupta
Holi, the festival of colour gives us the message of love, brotherhood and communal harmony. This sacred festival is celebrated by throwing or sprinkling colours either dry or wet at one another by all communities without any caste, colour and creed forgetting any enemity and rancour. Indeed, the Holi -a merry making day of hues and colours – is one of the biggest festivals of India. It falls on the Phalgun or Phagun Purnima or Puranmashi according to Bikrami Era which generally coincides with March every year.
Legends
The bonafire or Holika Dahan: The most common feature of the celebration of Holi in many parts of the country which is related with Holika, the devil minded sister of demon king Hiranyakashyap. In fact, the effigy of Holika is placed in the wood and burnt. It is because Holika tried to kill Prahlad the son of Hiranyakashyap who was an ardent devotee of lord Narayana or Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap was a very proud king and used to consider himself as god and declared that every body of his kingdom will have to worship him. However, Prahlad did not agree to accept his father as god and worshipped Lord Vishnu– The protector and preserver of the universe. On this, his father became very furious and ordered that Prahlad be thrown into a blazing fire. Thus, Prahlad was asked to sit in Holika’s lap in a fire to burn. But with the grace of lord Vishnu, Holika was burnt and Prahlad escaped unburnt. The ritual, therefore, symbolises the victory of good over evil and also the triumph of a true devotee.
Narsingh carnation: Another legend with regard to the origin of the Holi relates with the Narsingh or Narsimha carnation. The story goes that on this day, the lord Vishnu took the carnation of Narsingh or Narsimha.- A creature that was partly of man and partly of lion who killed demon king Hiranyakashyap to save child Prahlad, his most ardent disciple.
Arrival of spring season: This legend signifies an arrival of spring season or the Vasant Ritu the season of colours. As already mentioned that Holi takes place on the day of Phalguna Purnima, which according to Purnimanta Lunar Calendar- followed by Hindus several centuries before Christ-is the last day of the year.
Attempt to destroy infant Lord Krishna: There is another legend which relates Holi festival with the witch Pootna. It is believed that Pootna attempted to destroy an infant Krishna on the order of Kans by offering the child her poisnous nipples to suck. Instead of destruction of child Krishna, Pootna was killed by child Krishna.
Legend of Dhundi : It is connected with an ogress called Dhundi who used to scare and trouble the children in the kingdom of Prithu. She has many boons, which made her almost invincible but due to curse from Lord Shiva, she was susceptible to the shots abuses and pranks of village boys. It is believed that on Holi-day these children united and made combined efforts to chase away Dhundi by shouting at her, abusing her and playing pranks on her and finally succeeded in their mission. This is the reason that young boys are permitted to use rude words on this day without anybody taking offence.
Celebration in Jammu
In Jammu children use to start throwing colour or simple water to the passersby in the streets and bazars from the day of Ashtmi itself. They throw water balloons as well freely use pistols, bottles and toys for throwing coloured water. On the actual Holi day people roam in bazars, lanes and streets in groups and throw colour on one another and sing songs. Young people often move in groups and embrace each other and are also served with sweets. Some young-ones tease others using greasy colours, paints, black coloured ash. On the whole, the Holi is a festival which is greeted by all and is filled with cheer and happiness. Some people use to pollute Holi by applying thick paints, mobil oil and adhesives. In my opinion, we should celebrate Holi within civilized limits and not use chemical colours.
Holi festival has undergone through a number of transitions during the last 170 years since the Dogras Royal Dynasty assumed the rule Jammu and Kashmir. The third of Dogras Royal Dynasty Maharaja Partap Singh used to mix up with his subjects in the city of temples Jammu. He used to lead a thrilling event, a holy procession on elephants. The riders used to sprinkle coloured water through syringes while Maharaja threw the coloured powder mixed with glass particles called Alta. The royal procession used to start from Mubark Mandi palace to the outer confines of Gumate gate. Every big and small citizen of his 15,000 or more subjects participated in this event.
Bakshi Gulam Mohammed, the then Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir from August 1953 to September 1963, used to come out of his residence and moved along the Residency road and mixed up with the commoners and threw colours on them. He always used to welcome those who come to play colours with him.
In the end, I appeal the public to celebrate the pious festival of Holi with traditional religious fervour with decency and discipline.
(The auth is orEX-Associate Dean Cum Chief Scientist, KVK Jammu District, SKUAST, Chatha, Jammu.)
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