Holi, often referred to as the “Festival of Colors,” is one of the most vibrant and joyous celebrations in India and among Indian communities worldwide. This Hindu festival, symbolizing the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, and the celebration of love and unity, brings people together in a riot of colors, music, and festivity.
History of Holi
Holi has deep roots in Hindu mythology and ancient traditions. The most famous legend associated with Holi is the story of Prahlada and Hiranyakashipu. According to Hindu scriptures, Hiranyakashipu, a demon king, sought revenge against Lord Vishnu and demanded that everyone worship him instead. However, his son Prahlada remained a devout devotee of Lord Vishnu. Enraged, Hiranyakashipu attempted to kill Prahlada multiple times but failed due to divine intervention.
In a final attempt, he enlisted the help of his sister, Holika, who had a boon that made her immune to fire. She tricked Prahlada into sitting on a pyre with her, hoping to burn him alive. However, by divine grace, Holika perished in the flames while Prahlada emerged unharmed. This event symbolizes the victory of righteousness over evil and is commemorated by the lighting of bonfires on the eve of Holi, known as Holika Dahan.
Another popular legend links Holi with the divine love of Radha and Krishna. Lord Krishna, known for his playful and mischievous nature, was concerned about his dark complexion compared to Radha’s fair skin. His mother, Yashoda, playfully suggested that he color Radha’s face in any hue he wished. This tradition evolved into the modern practice of smearing colors on loved ones during Holi.
Significance of Holi
Holi is more than just a festival of colors; it holds profound cultural, social, and spiritual significance:
– Victory of Good over Evil: The story of Prahlada and Holika reminds people that truth and righteousness always triumph over wickedness.
– Harvest and Spring Festival: Holi marks the arrival of spring and the end of winter, signifying renewal, fertility, and abundance.
– Social Harmony: The festival breaks down social barriers, as people of all backgrounds come together to celebrate, forgive past grievances, and renew relationships.
– Spiritual Renewal: Holi serves as a reminder to let go of negativity, grudges, and past misunderstandings, fostering unity and love.
Celebrations of Holi
Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm across India and in various parts of the world where Indian communities reside. The festival typically spans two days:
Holika Dahan (Chhoti Holi)
On the night before Holi, bonfires are lit to symbolize the burning of evil (Holika) and the triumph of good. Families and communities gather around the fire, offer prayers, and perform rituals seeking prosperity and protection from harm.
Rangwali Holi (Dhulandi or Phagwah)
The main day of Holi, also known as Rangwali Holi, is filled with exuberant celebrations. People throw vibrant gulal (colored powders) at each other, dance to lively music, and enjoy festive delicacies. Some key aspects of Holi celebrations include:
– Color Play: Friends, families, and even strangers smear each other with colors, water balloons, and pichkaris (water guns), creating a spectacle of joy and camaraderie.
– Music and Dance: Traditional folk songs, Bollywood tunes, and dhol (drum) beats set the festive mood, with people dancing energetically in the streets.
– Festive Sweets and Drinks: Special treats like gujiya (sweet dumplings), malpua (pancakes), thandai (a spiced milk beverage often infused with bhang), and puran poli are prepared and shared with loved ones.
– Community Gatherings: Holi brings people together, breaking societal barriers of caste, class, and status, fostering unity and joy.
– Holi in Temples: In some regions, temples organize grand Holi celebrations where devotees sing bhajans (devotional songs) and participate in color play in a spiritual environment.
Regional Variations of Holi
Different regions in India have unique ways of celebrating Holi:
– Lathmar Holi (Barsana, Uttar Pradesh): Women playfully hit men with sticks, recreating a legendary episode from Radha and Krishna’s time.
– Basant Utsav (West Bengal): Inspired by poet Rabindranath Tagore, Holi is celebrated with graceful dances and cultural performances.
– Royal Holi (Rajasthan): The festival is marked by grand celebrations in royal palaces, including processions and cultural events.
– Holla Mohalla (Punjab): Celebrated by Sikhs, it includes martial arts displays and horse-riding competitions.
– Shigmo (Goa): A combination of Holi and spring carnival, featuring folk dances and elaborate processions.
– Manjal Kuli (Kerala): In the Konkani and Malayali communities, Holi is celebrated uniquely with turmeric and traditional songs.
Holi Around the World
Holi is no longer confined to India; it is celebrated globally in countries like Nepal, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and South Africa. Events like “Holi festivals” in major cities attract diverse crowds, celebrating Indian culture with music, dance, and color play. In Nepal, Holi is a national holiday and features grand celebrations in cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Reference in Ancient Texts and Inscriptions
Besides having a detailed description in the Vedas and Puranas such as Narad Purana and Bhavishya Purana, the festival of Holi finds a mention in Jaimini Mimansa. A stone incription belonging to 300 BC found at Ramgarh in the province of Vindhya has mention of Holikotsav on it. King Harsha, too has mentioned about holikotsav in his work Ratnavali that was written during the 7th century. The famous Muslim tourist – Ulbaruni too has mentioned about holikotsav in his historical memories. Other Muslim writers of that period have mentioned, that holikotsav were not only celebrated by the Hindus but also by the Muslims.
Reference in Ancient Paintings and Murals
The festival of Holi also finds a reference in the sculptures on walls of old temples. A 16th century panel sculpted in a temple at Hampi, capital of Vijayanagar, shows a joyous scene of Holi. The painting depicts a Prince and his Princess standing amidst maids waiting with syringes or pichkaris to drench the Royal couple in coloured water. A 16th century Ahmednagar painting is on the theme of Vasanta Ragini – spring song or music. It shows a royal couple sitting on a grand swing, while maidens are playing music and spraying colors with pichkaris.
There are a lot of other paintings and murals in the temples of medieval India which provide a pictoral description of Holi. For instance, a Mewar painting (circa 1755) shows the Maharana with his courtiers. While the ruler is bestowing gifts on some people, a merry dance is on, and in the center is a tank filled with colored water. Also, a Bundi miniature shows a king seated on a tusker and from a balcony above some damsels are showering gulal (colored powders) on him.
Legends and Mythology
In some parts of India, specially in Bengal and Orissa, Holi Purnima is also celebrated as the birthday of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (A.D. 1486-1533). However, the literal meaning of the word ‘Holi’ is ‘burning’. There are various legends to explain the meaning of this word, most prominent of all is the legend associated with demon king Hiranyakashyap. Hiranyakashyap wanted everybody in his kingdom to worship only him but to his great disappointment, his son, Prahlad became an ardent devotee of Lord Naarayana. Hiaranyakashyap commanded his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap.
Holika had a boon whereby she could enter fire without any damage on herself. However, she was not aware that the boon worked only when she enters the fire alone. As a result she paid a price for her sinister desires, while Prahlad was saved by the grace of the god for his extreme devotion. The festival, therefore, celebrates the victory of good over evil and also the triumph of devotion. Legend of Lord Krishna is also associated with play with colors as the Lord started the tradition of play with colours by applying colour on his beloved Radha and other gopis. Gradually, the play gained popularity with the people and became a tradition.
Holi in Barsana
Holi in Barsana Holi of Barsana, the birthplace of Radha, a village, 42 kms away from Mathura, is of particular interest. Here, men from Nandgaon, the land of Krishna come to play Holi with the girls of Barsana and hope of raising their flag over Shri Radhikaji’s temple. But, instead of colours they are greeted with sticks by the gopis. Hence, the Holi get its new name here- Lathmaar Holi. Smart enough, men come fully padded as they are fully aware what kind of welcome awaits them and also the fact that they are not allowed to retaliate on that day. In this mock battle of sorts, they try their best not to be captured.
The unlucky one’s however, are forcefully led away and get a good thrashing from the women. Further, they are made to wear a female attire and dance in public. All in the spirit of Holi. Renowned poets like Surdas, Nand-das, Kumbhan-das and others have picturesquely described how Lord Krishna received similar treatment and was forced to don a sari and wear make-up and perform dance before being released by the gopies. The next day, it is the turn of men of Barsana. They reciprocate by invading Nandgaon and drench the womenfolk of Nandgaon in colours of kesudo, naturally occurring orange-red dye and palash. Today, the women of Nadagow beat the invaders from Barsana. It is a colorful site.
However, in the interest of tourism and safety, the state tourist board has set up excellent vantage points for the public. A large open ground, on the outskirts of the town is specially set aside for the most magnificent display of the festivities. The week long Holi celebrations also continue in the various Krishna temples on different days. The celebrations are filled with clouds of colours and of course, much fun.