GHHF Bala Samskar Kendras in Assam – Students learned about the Significance of Holi, the stories behind the celebration of the colorful festival.
Philip Goldberg
"Ages ago, the vast subcontinent of India birthed explorers and innovators who focused on the inner realm. Those geniuses - spiritual sages or scientists of consciousness, depending on your perspective - gave us, through a series of modern translators and adapters, insights that have profoundly influenced religion, healthcare, psychology, the arts and other areas of life. The way we understand ourselves and the universe has been shaped by India more than we can readily appreciate.
Global Hindu Heritage is very happy to inform that we started about 200 Bala Samskar Kendras in five States in India – Assam, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu - to teach about the richness of Hinduism, Hindu festivals, Hindu ethos, Hindu History, and culture and traditions. Sri Samrat Dutt is a very active member in the community championing the Hindu Values not only to the children but also actively involved in making the Hindus proud of their culture.
Sri Samrat said that Holi was celebrated by Bala Samskar Kendras. Narsinghpur centre organized Havan, Yagna/Home where school going students along with Balasamskar Students were participated. Some centres organized Raslila, some Centres done Krishna Puja and Matri Puja Pujan also .
The celebration of Holi is very ancient in origin. It celebrates the ultimate triumph of "good" over "evil". While a feast of colors is associated with Holi the original reason for celebrating Holi lies in the soul of the festival. Literally "Holi" is the Hindi word meaning "burning" in the Hindi language. How it became associated with "burning" is a myth. The reference is found in ancient Indian Mythology.
Legend Of Holika and Prahlad
The most widely known story among people is this part of mythology. Hiranyakashyap was an over-ambitious demon king who had ordered his kingdom to pray and worship only him. But, to his disappointment his son Prahlad became an ardent devotee of Lord Narayana. A day came when Hiranya kashyap set his son Prahlad on fire along with Holika. She was the demons sister who had a boon of not burning in fire and hence Hiranyakashyap had assigned her the task to see to it that Prahlad turns into ashes. Instead, something unexpected happened. The immense devotion of Prahlad made Lord Narayana save the child and Holika burnt in the fire. Hence, this day is celebrated as Holi for the victory of good over evil.
Legend Of Radha Krishna
Lord Krishna was so naughty and puckish. Mythology narrates, in his young days; he used to be very upset about his beloved Radha being too fair in comparison to him. Once Lord Krishna complained to her mother Yashoda about Radha’s very fair complexion and questioned about his dark colored-skin. He also felt that nature has done a kind of injustice to him. Yashoda secretly suggested Krishna color Radha’s face playfully with any dark color (blue, violet or purple) of his choice on her white face. Lord Krishna liked this idea of putting color on Radha and hence implemented it. Thus, the moment when Krishna approached Radha and applied colors on her beautiful face is the start of their love, devotion and companionship and hence marked this varicolored festivity to HOLI. This loving act of Lord Krishna is celebrated as the festival of colors, later on.
Legend Of Kamadeva
When Lord Shiva was in a deep depression after Sati’s death and was disconnected from the worldly happenings, Lord Kamadeva shot a love arrow on him. The raged Shiva burnt Kamadeva into ashes, though he later revived him on Rati- Kaamadeva’s wife’s request.
Legend Of Dhundhi
There was once an ogress in the kingdom of Raghu who used to eat children. She was made to flee away by a group of boys celebrating noisily and chanting mantras around the fire. From this legend comes the ritual of putting a bonfire in the evening of Holi. It is believed that the bonfire will chase away all the negative energies around.
Legend Of Pootana
Lord Krishna’s devil uncle ‘Kansa’ sent Pootana a female demon to kill the baby Krishna. She went forward to feed the baby milk from her breasts which had poison in it. Krishna - the clever baby, started sucking the blood out of her, revealing and then killing her.
Holi in Ancient Hindu Inscriptions
Early Vedas and Puranas such as "Narad Purana" and "Bhavishya Purana" have a detailed description of Holi. Archeologists excavated a 300 BC stone at Ramgarh which has the mention of "Holikotsav", meaning the celebration of Holi inscribed on it. This hints that Holi was originated even before the birth of Christ. Many other ancient references include King Harshas "Ratnavali" which talks about Holikotsav.
Holi in Ancient Paintings and Frescoes
Some ancient temples in various parts of India contain sculptures on their walls illustrating Holi celebrations. A 16th-century painting discovered in Ahmednagar is on the theme of Vasanta Ragini - spring song or music. (Source: https://rgyan.com/)
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