Holi or Hutasani festival identified with Dol
-Yatra or Rocking of the image of Krishna, is celebrated in Phalgun (March). It
is said to be a commemoration of the killing of the demon Madhu by K'rsna. This
festival is specially celebrated in Northern states, as a kind of Hindu
Sutranalia or carnival and is a very popular festival. It commences about 10
days before the full moon of Phalgun (March), but is usually observed for the
last three or four days, terminating with the full moon. Boys dance all over
the streets and the residents sprinkle their friends, relatives and even
passersby, with red or yellow powder (gulal). The whole atmosphere is very
jovial and no one objects to the colour being thrown. Loud music, merriment,
songs and midnight orgies are the rule. Elders, youngsters, children, women and
girls, all join this festival. Groups go from house to house, offer gulal at
the feet of the elders and smear red / yellow powder on the faces of the
equals. Some rich elderly persons apply scent on all visitors. Towards the
close of the festival, one day before the colour play, a bonfire is lighted and
games representing the frolics of the young K'rsna, take place around embers. A
light mood atmosphere prevails, along with practical jokes, caricature, and
cartoons, as is not seen in any other festival.
In Hindu mythology, there have been two philosophical
divisions:Dvaita and Advaita: Dvaita pertaining to gods and Advaita relating to
demons. Among the demons Hiranyakasipu was a great demon chief. To avenge the
death of his brother Hiranyaksha at the hands of the gods, Hiranyakasipu
undertook severe austerities to obtain a boon from B'rhma to escape death. When
B'rhma appeared before him. and enquired the reason for his intense tapas, he
asked him," If you will confer on me, my desired blessings, 0' chief among
the bestower of boons, let not my, death occur at the hands of living beings
created by you"." 0' Lord, let there be no death to me indoors or
outdoors, by day or night, from anyone or even through weapons, neither on
earth nor in the air, by men or animals; nor should I meet my death at the
hands of animate or inanimate beings, gods, demons or serpents".
B'rhma duly pleased granted his wish. Hiranyakasipu thought that
he was very wise in getting such a boon from the creator himself, on account of
which he would not die under any circumstances. But that was not to be. Little
did he realize that his own son would prove to be the cause of his death.
Prahalad, his son,refused to accept that his father was the Lord
of all creation. He tried his best to enlighten his father to take refuge in
God, but to no avail. His father, out of ego, became furious and tried to
eliminate his son by all possible means. But all attempts failed, because the
Almighty saved his devotee Prahalad at every step.
During the period,when Hiranyakasipu, left his kingdom to
perform tapas in the forest to obtain a boon from B'rhma; Indra, the king of
Gods, tried to abduct Hiranyakasipu's wife Kayatu, who was expecting a child at
that time. Sage Narada intervened and took Kayatu to her hermitage.
It was, during her stay in the sage's ashram, that Prahalad,
even while in the womb of the mother, happened to listen to the glory of God,
when Narada used to recite them to Kayatu, to keep her in good spirits. Thus
the child Prahalad, even before he was born, had developed unflinching faith in
God.
When Hiranyakasipu obtained the boon and returned, he tried all
methods of destruction of Prahalad. He was advised that his sister Holika, has
a boon that fire will not burn her and that Holika should sit in the burning
fire holding Prahalad in the lap, by dint of which Prahalad would be burnt
without any effect on Holika. Accordingly fire was arranged and Holika sat in
the fire with Prahalad in her lap. Prahalad, because of divine bliss escaped
without any scratch or burn, but Holika was burnt to ashes, because of the
misuse of the boon bestowed on her.
Holi festival is celebrated in honour and respect of Prahalad,
who had the divine vision, even in childhood. The fire is lit one day before
the colourful play, to condemn the wicked participation of Holika.
Holi in Barsana, also known as Barsani, Brahmasanu or
Brishbanpur is famous for special reasons. This town had been the capital of
Brishbhanu, king and his queen Kirti. On the top of hillock recognized as the
form of God B'rhma connected by upstairs is a fort like temple, where the Sakti
of Sri K'rsna, Bhagwati Radha is seated. Holi festival (March) of this place is
reputed, not because it is considered sacred, but because of the peculiarities
that the women in this festival chase and beat men folk with sticks.
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