HOLI: Reet Dhaliwal

Holi, also known as Festival of Colours, is a popular and significant Hindu festival, symbolising love and spring. This festival celebrates the eternal and divine love of Krishna and the god Radha. Holi signifies the triumph of good over evil, as it commemorates the victory of Vishnu, as avatar Narasimha Narayana, defeats Hiranyakashipu. Those who partake commemorate the arrival of spring in India, the end of winter, agriculture, and the blossoming of love. It is also an invocation for a good spring harvest season. Holi is celebrated on the last full moon day of the Hindu Calendar month between February and March.

Spiritually, Holi festivities mark an occasion to renew ruptured relationships, end conflicts and rid themselves of accumulated emotional impurities from the past.

Holi initially originated in India, but it is now celebrated in many other parts of the globe, like Nepal, Fiji, and parts of the Western world.

There is some variability in the way people celebrate Holi, depending upon their culture, and the primary significance behind their reason to celebrate it In general, the night before Holi, bonfires are lit in a ceremony known as Holika Dahan (burning of Holika), where people gather near the fire, sing, dance, and share meals This part of the festival is not celebrated among all cultures.

The following day is the main day of Holi. On this day of Holi, people take to the streets to celebrate with their neighbours and friends, carrying coloured powders, liquid colours, and water balloons. Entire streets and towns turn red, green, blue, orange, and yellow as people celebrate Holi with each other by throwing these coloured powders or splashing coloured water on each other. Each colour carries an individual meaning. For example, red symbolises love and prosperity, while green stands for new beginnings. The festival is concluded by sharing meals, dancing, and singing activities.

Holi is loved by people of all ages. During this time of colour, people forget their age and their worries, reveling in the joy and carefree nature of this popular Indian festival. When the celebration comes to an end, we all wait desperately for Holi to return in the following year.

- Reet Dhaliwal

OUM Clinical Student & Peer Supporter