Holi-Day!!!

Holi - the festival of colors - is undoubtedly the most fun filled and boisterous of Hindu festival. It's an occasion that brings in unadulterated joy and mirth, fun and play, music and dance, and, of course, lots of bright colors!

During Holi, practices, which at other times could be offensive, are allowed. Squirting colored water on passers-by, dunking friends in mud pool amidst teasing and laughter, getting intoxicated on bhaang and reveling with companions is perfectly acceptable. In fact on the days of Holi, you can get away with almost anything by saying, "Dont mind, it's Holi" (Bura na mano, Holi hai).

The Festive License

Women especially, enjoy the freedom of relaxed rules and sometimes join in the merriment rather aggressively. There is also much vulgar behavior connected with phallic themes. It is a time when pollution is not important, a time for license and obscenity in place of the usual societal ans caste restrictions. In a way, Holi is a means for the people to ventilate their 'latent heat' and experience strange physical relaxations.

History behind Holi 

The main day, Holi, also known as Dhuli Vandana in Sanskrit, Dhulendi, Dhulandi or Dhulheti is celebrated by people throwing colored powder and colored water on each other. Bonfires are lit the day before, also known as Holika Dahan(Burning of Holika) or Chhoti Holi. The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad accomplished when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire. Holika (had a boon that she could never get burnt) was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of god Vishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion.

If wishes come in rainbow colors then,
I would send the brightest one to say Happy Holi