Holi 2020– The festival of colours!!!
If you are planning to visit India, mark your calendar beforehand and experience this festival in the land of its origins and if you reside in the country, need I say anything?
There are some very important festivals in India, Holi being one of the most prominent one which is celebrated with much fun and frolic every year in the month of February/March. It is the biggest festival of colours that the country witnesses and is celebrated as a mark of defeat of Holika by Prahlad. The first evening is known as Holika Dahan (burning of demon holika) or Chhoti Holi or Dol and the following day is celebrated as Holi, Rangwali Holi, Dhuleti, Dhulandi or Phagwah.
According to Hindu mythology (Chapter 7 of the Bhagwat Purana), Prahlad was the greatest devotee of Lord Vishnu and his father Hiranyakashyapu was envious of this. Hiranyakashyapu, king of Asuras was blessed with special powers: he could neither be killed by a human being or by an animal, neither indoors or outdoors, neither at day nor at night, or by any weapon, and neither on land nor in water or air. Hiranyakashyapu grew envious of his son and planned to kill him, ordered his sister to burn his son in flames but instead the sister was burned to death by the almighty. Lod Narasimha – avatar of Lord Vishnu half human and half lion at dusk took Hiranyakashyapu at a doorstep, placed him on his lap and then eviscerated and killed the king with his lion claws, thus marking the celebration of Bhakti over darkness.
The significance of the day is to end and rid oneself of past errors, to end conflicts by meeting others, a day to forget and forgive. Holi also marks the start of spring season, for many starting of a new year, an occasion for people to enjoy the changing seasons and develop new friendships.
Though it is celebrated in the whole country but Uttar Pradesh is the state which you should not miss when planning for this particular festival. Braj, also known as Brijbhoomi is believed to be the land of Lord Krishna.
Image Source: Google
The places which you can’t miss are:
Barsana : Lathmar holi is fun to watch but if you are participating then it can be quite dangerous as the women chase men with lathi. As the story goes, Lord Krishna from Nandgaon visited Barsana to meet Radha and her friends. Goddess and her friends got offended and chased the Lord with sticks. The tradition continues, still. The celebration starts a week before Holi (14th March, this year).
Image Source: Google
Vrindavan: Vrindavan is known to be the place where Lord Krishna spent his childhood and is a must visit place if you are a devotee. Holi is celebrated with both flowers and colours. Though you can play with colours the entire day but with flowers the opportunity is only for an approximate 20 minutes duration and you have to be present an evening before (20th March) to be a part of the felicities. Banke Bihari temple premise is full of devotees on the colourful day (21st March, this year) and the priests throw colours and holy water to allow you to participate. It is an unforgettable part of the festival where people gather and chants holy mantras in unison.
Image Source: Google
Mathura: Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna and Dwarkadheesh temple is crowded before the temple opens on the day of Holi (21st March, this year). Entire streets are full of devotees playing with colours and drinking bhang. Head to Vishram Ghat and experience the beauty of this festival.
These three places can be covered easily starting with Barsana followed by Vrindavan (which is 42 kms). You can head to Mathura afterwards which is around 15kms further. Connectivity with train and road is excellent. The nearest Airport is Delhi. Hotels and Dharamshalas are easily available. This year, Holika Dehen is on 20th March and Holi will be celebrated on 21st March.
Enjoy Holi and Happy Hitchhiking!!!
