Holi, the vibrant festival of colors, is celebrated by millions of people across India and around the world. The festival not only marks the arrival of spring but also symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, and the celebration of love and unity. Over the years, many legends and mythological stories have become intertwined with the celebration of Holi. So, let’s know more about them:
The Legend of Holika and Prahlad
Prahlad, a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu, was tortured by his father, the demon king Hiranyakashipu, for refusing to worship him. Hiranyakashipu’s sister, Holika, tried to kill Prahlad by tricking him into sitting on her lap in a fire, but Prahlad was saved by Vishnu, and Holika was consumed by the flames. This story symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Holika Dahan during Holi commemorates this triumph.
The Legend of Radha and Krishna
Lord Krishna, who was dark-skinned, playfully applied colors on Radha, his beloved, to make their skin colors equal. This became a tradition of playing with colors during Holi, symbolizing love, joy, and togetherness. The playful and divine love of Krishna and Radha is celebrated with colors, promoting unity and unconditional love.
The Legend of the Demoness Putana
Putana, a demoness, attempted to kill infant Krishna by poisoning him with her milk. Krishna, even as a baby, sucked the life out of her, killing her. This legend emphasizes Krishna’s role as the protector of good, celebrating his victory over evil.
Kamadeva’s Sacrifice
Shiva was very upset after Sati’s death and turned to intense meditation for comfort. Because Lord Shiva could not be roused, the earth suffered much. In order for Shiva to re-engage with the world and bring about normalcy, the goddess Sati was reborn as Parvati in order to address the issue. Parvati sought Lord Kamadeva, the god of love and desire, for assistance when she was worn out from making all the necessary corrections to appease Shiva.
Even though he was aware of the likely outcomes, Kamadeva agreed to assist her. He then shot Shiva’s heart with his love arrow, causing him to awaken from his meditation in a fit of rage. Shiva promptly destroyed Kamadeva by opening his third eye. But when Shiva was roused from his meditation, he fell in love with Parvati and things returned to normal. It is thought that Lord Shiva burned Kamadeva on Holi. As a result of his sacrifice, the people of southern India began to worship him.
The Legend of Lord Vishnu and the Demon Hiranyakashipu
Hiranyakashipu, a demon king, received a boon making him invincible. His son Prahlad, devoted to Vishnu, was tortured. Lord Vishnu incarnated as Narasimha (half-lion, half-man) and killed Hiranyakashipu, restoring peace. This story highlights divine intervention and the victory of good over evil.
The Legend of Radha and the Gopis
The gopis of Vrindavan, deeply devoted to Krishna, played Holi with him by throwing colors and having fun. It symbolized their pure love and devotion for Krishna. The playful Holi celebration symbolizes divine love and unity among Krishna’s followers.
