India is a land of diversity. There are a number of cultures and traditions. We celebrate a number of festivals throughout the year, which give a vivid picture of the rich cultural diversity in the country, and also enhances its beauty.
What is Holi?
Holi is one of the most popular festivals in India, and is known as the Festival of Colours. Every part of the country celebrates this festival, and it celebrates the victory of good. The vibrant colours bring a sense of positivity and joy in our lives. It is a time when people forget their differences and celebrate the festival together, with great fun and enthusiasm.
History of Holi
According to the Hindu Mythology and the Puranas, Hiranyakashipu was the king of the demons and was blessed with special powers, which almost made him invincible. He asked his subject to only worship him and nobody else. But his son Prahalad was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu, so he refused to worship him. Hiranyakashipu was furious at his behaviour and tied to kill his son. He asked his sister Holika to take Prahalad and sit in a burning pyre. Holika did so, and she was burnt to ashes, but Prahalad escaped it unscathed. Finally, Lord Vishnu took his Narsimha Avatar (half lion and half-human) and killed Hiranyakashipu. Therefore, this day is celebrated to show that love and dedication always wins.
It is also said that Lord Sri Krishna once expressed his concern about his dark skin to His mother, and so she said that Radha would accept Him the way he is. Sri Krishna asked Radha to paint each other’s faces in any colour she liked, and thus, Sri Krishna started the Holi festival by applying colours on his beloved Radha and other Gopis. Gradually people adopted this tradition, and it became popular.
Significance of Holi
Holi marks the beginning of spring and the season of harvesting. It is celebrated to encourage honesty and goodness. The story of Hiranyakashipu and Prahalad tells us that God will always help us if we follow the path of truth and righteousness. This festival acts as a reminder for us to keep faith in ourselves, and believe in sincerity and dedication and not to be afraid of the arrogant and greedy people who think they are superior. It encourages us to be virtuous and honest and fight against evil. The story of Radha and Krishna also reminds us to celebrate love.
This festival is celebrated by not only by Hindus but every other religious community. Both rich and poor celebrate in the same manner. People forget their differences and hardships and celebrate the festival with joy and merriment. Colours or Gulaal is a vital part of the celebrations, and colours symbolizes the addition of life and positivity in our lives.
Holi 2023 Date
-
When is Holi 2023?
Holi for the year 2023 is celebrated/observed on Wednesday, 8 March.
-
Holi dates for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026
| Year | Weekday | Date | Name | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holi 2022 | Fri | 18 Mar | Holi | Gazetted Holiday |
| Holi 2023 | Wed | 8 Mar | Holi | Gazetted Holiday |
| Holi 2024 | Mon | 25 Mar | Holi | Gazetted Holiday |
| Holi 2025 | Fri | 14 Mar | Holi | Gazetted Holiday |
| Holi 2026 | Wed | 4 Mar | Holi | Gazetted Holiday |
When is Holi Celebrated?
It starts from the evening of Purnima (Full Moon), in the month of Phalguna. It falls in the middle of March. It will be celebrated on 18th March in 2022.
Holi Quotes
Wishing You A Very Happy Holi. May You Be Blessed With A Day Full Of Colors, Happiness, Laughter & Smile.
May All The Seven Colours Of The Rainbow Bring Happiness In Your Life. Happy Holi!
May this Holi 2022 bring lots and lots of colorful seasons and days into your life filled with plenty of happiness and love. Wishing you a very happy Holi!
“Reach out to others with the colors of joy and spread happiness wherever you go this Holi.”
Holi Wishes
Colors That Make You Happy. Friendship Colors, Love Colors, Success Colors & Prosperity Colors. May You Have Fun With All Of The Colors Of Holi. Happy Holi!
May God Give You All The Colors Of Life, The Colors Of Joy, The Colors Of Happiness, The Colors Of Friendship, The Colors Of Love, & Any Other Colors You Wish To Paint Your Life With. Have A Wonderful & Colorful Holi!
Wishing You Happiness, Success & Glory. May Your Holi Celebrations This Year Be Memorable! Happy Holi!
May God Spray Colors Of Success, Prosperity & Good Health Over You & Your Beloved Family & Fill Each Moment With Love & Happiness, Wish You All A Very Happy Holi.
Let’s Fill Each Other With The Color Of Holi & The Deepest Shades Of Love. Happy Holi, My Love.
May Your Day Be Full Of Colors, Laughter, Happiness & Smile. Wishing You A Very Happy Choti Holi!
Holi Messages
Holi Is The Day To Express Love Through Colors. It’s Time To Show Affection, & All The Colors You Are In Love With On Your Beloved Ones. Happy Holi!
Holi reminds us of brotherhood, comradeship and love for humanity. Let us all celebrate this Holi in the best of spirits and colors so that the world is blessed for happy times ahead.
Bright Colors, Water Balloons, Tasty Gujiyas, Delicious Sweets & Melodious Songs Are The Ingredients For A Perfect Holi. Wish You & Your Family A Very Happy & Colorful Holi.
Wishing you health, prosperity, and blessings from the gods. Enjoy the best of festive times with your dear ones. Happy Holi 2023!
Wish You A Colorful Day With All Kinds Of Color, Love, & Happiness. God Bless You & Your Family. I Wish You A Very Happy Holi!
Wishing you an amazing year ahead with lots of color and good luck. Hope you enjoy your day. Happy Holi 2023!
May this festival of colors bring prosperity and happiness in your life. Happy Holi 2023!
How is Holi celebrated?
Holi basically starts from Holika Dahan, a ritual that is held a day before the main festival. People usually set up a bonfire, and mud or cow dung figurines of Holika (Hiranyakashipu’s sister) and Prahalad are placed in it. Then the figurine of Prahalad is removed while Holika is allowed to burn. This is done to re-create the moment in History when Lord Vishnu saved Prahalad. This symbolizes the defeat of evil and the victory of honesty, love and dedication. This day is also called Chhoti Holi.
On the day of Holi, people celebrate with their family and friends by applying colours to each other’s faces. The bright colours like red, blue, yellow etc., are pleasing to the eyes and makes the festival colourful and mesmerizing. The colours or Gulaal is mixed with water and then splashed on people with pichkaaris or water guns and water balloons. Some delicious snacks like Gujiya and thandai are also made on this occasion. There is laughter and exuberance everywhere.
Holi celebration around the world
Australia
There are events organized all over Australia, where people celebrate the festival with non-toxic colours. People attend parties, wearing white clothes. Melbourne organizes a special Holi festival for the Indians. This enables the Australians to understand and know the Indian culture better. They can also have fun by participating in the festival.
Canada
Every Indian in Canada can be seen celebrating the festival, covered in vibrant colours. People get together in small groups and apply colours to each other. Everyone becomes a part of the festivity, irrespective of their age. Some people also organize cultural programs and can be seen dancing or singing. It brings joy and positivity and a sense of being at home for the people living in Canada.
United Kingdom
Indians are the second-largest ethnic community in the UK, so it does not miss out on any of the excitement of the festival. People get out on the streets and apply colour on each other, and celebrate it with their friends and relatives.
UAE
Holi is also celebrated in UAE with the same zest as it is celebrated in India. People exchange gifts and sweets with their friends and relatives. People dress in traditional attire and dance to the typical Holi songs and other Bollywood songs.
Celebrations inside the country
Barsana, Uttar Pradesh
Barsana’s Lathmar Holi is one of the most popular Holi celebrations in the country. Women celebrate the festival with sticks and not colours. They chase the men with laathis (sticks). It is a major source of attraction in Mathura and attracts people from all over the world.
West Bengal
Holi in West Bengal is also known as Basant Utsav or Dol Jatra. People dress in traditional yellow outfits and participate in cultural programs. They also recite poetry by Rabindranath Tagore. A grand parade of Lord Krishna is set out, and people apply colours on each other.
Kerala
The Kudumbi and Konkani communities in Kerala celebrate this festival, which they call Manjal Kuli. It is celebrated in the Konkani Temple of Thirumala, and unlike other places, they use natural colours like turmeric etc.
Uttarakhand
Holi in Uttarakhand is also called Kahila Holi. People celebrate the festival more by dancing and singing than by playing with colours. It is called Toli in their local language.
Interesting facts about Holi
- The name Holi is derived from the name of the demon king Hiranyakashipu’s sister, Holika.
- It is a national festival in India, and is celebrated by every state in the country.
- It is celebrated by Hindus all over the world.
- The second day of the festival is called Rangwali Holi, in which people play with colours.
- It is also known for the consumption of an inebriant drink called Bhaang, which is made from cannabis leaves.
- Holi also marks the day when Sri Krishna killed the Putana, the demoness.
- Holi is known by different names in different states.
- South Indians believe that this day is celebrated to honour Kamadeva, who risked his life to awaken Lord Shiva from meditation in order to rescue the world.
- Mathura and Vrindavan celebrate the festival on a grand scale. The celebrations start a week prior to the main festival.
Holi is one of the most popular and anticipated festivals in India, and brings joy, happiness and positivity in our lives. Apart from all the celebrations and merriment, we should celebrate responsibly and avoid playing with synthetic colours that might damage our skin. We should also protect our environment and refrain from throwing or applying colours on animals.
