HOLI-DAY OF COLOUR
Holi Festival 2017 – what is the Hindu festival of colour
and how is it celebrated in the UK?
and how is it celebrated in the UK?
AS WINTER clears away for spring, what better way to
celebrate the warmer weather than with a festival?
celebrate the warmer weather than with a festival?
The Holi festival of colours is a Hindu celebration, held
annually in India, Nepal and other south Asian countries to mark
the start of the new season. Here’s the lowdown…
annually in India, Nepal and other south Asian countries to mark
the start of the new season. Here’s the lowdown…
When is Holi in 2017?
Holi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the beginning of
Spring at will be celebrated on Monday March 13 – TODAY!
Spring at will be celebrated on Monday March 13 – TODAY!
It is celebrated each year around the time
of the vernal equinox, and is typically celebrated in March but sometimes
as early as February.
of the vernal equinox, and is typically celebrated in March but sometimes
as early as February.
It is mainly observed in both India and Nepal or other
countries where there is a significant Hindu population.
countries where there is a significant Hindu population.
However, in recent years, the festival has spread and
celebrations now take place in parts of Europe and North America.
celebrations now take place in parts of Europe and North America.
In India, the Lathmar Holi festival – which is celebrated in
the days before Holi – has already kicked off.
the days before Holi – has already kicked off.
Lathmar means ‘hitting with sticks’.
During the festival, the women of Barsana, the birth place
of Hindu God Krishna’s beloved Radha, beat the men from Nandgaon, the hometown
of Hindu God Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their efforts to throw
colour on them.
of Hindu God Krishna’s beloved Radha, beat the men from Nandgaon, the hometown
of Hindu God Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their efforts to throw
colour on them.
What is the festival celebrating?
The event commemorates the victory of good, peace and love
over evil.
over evil.
It is said the demoness Holika was conquered through
unwavering devotion to the Hindu god of preservation, Lord Vishnu.
unwavering devotion to the Hindu god of preservation, Lord Vishnu.
Vishnu’s reincarnation Lord Krishna liked to play pranks on
village girls by drenching them in water and colours – which is where the
tradition came from.
village girls by drenching them in water and colours – which is where the
tradition came from.
In southern Asia, Holi is celebrated on the day after the
last full moon in March every year.
last full moon in March every year.
It starts with a Holika bonfire, singing and dancing – and,
the next day, the streets explode with colour.
the next day, the streets explode with colour.
Why is it called the festival of colours?
Hindus celebrate Holi by smearing coloured powder over one
another, dancing under water sprinklers, and using water balloons and water
guns.
another, dancing under water sprinklers, and using water balloons and water
guns.
The organisers believe that gulal, the coloured powder,
intoxicates people so their religion and social status don’t matter.
intoxicates people so their religion and social status don’t matter.
After a day of play with colours, people clean up, wash and
bathe, sober up and dress up in the evening and greet friends and relatives by
visiting them and exchanging sweets.
bathe, sober up and dress up in the evening and greet friends and relatives by
visiting them and exchanging sweets.
When is Holi celebrated in London?
In chilly England, the Holi-inspired bonanza kicks off on
July 29, 2017 – allowing Brits to come together and get covered in colourful
powders.
July 29, 2017 – allowing Brits to come together and get covered in colourful
powders.
This year’s event is being held at Wembley Park, with a day
which encompasses music, entertainment and the inevitable rainbow end to your
white T-shirt.
which encompasses music, entertainment and the inevitable rainbow end to your
white T-shirt.
The line-up for the event is yet to be announced but tickets
are on sale.
are on sale.
0 Komentar