Holi is one of the major festivals of Hindus. It is celebrated in South Asian countries, especially in India and Nepal. Holi is the festival of colours. Hindus believe that spring is full of colours so they throw coloured water on each other. Holi is based on a legend about King Hiranyakaship.
Some of the more benign, modern Holi colors, called gulal in Hindi when made in powder form, are a mixture of more than 95% cornstarch blended with food-, drug-, and cosmetic-grade dyes. These pigments, known as FD&C colors in the U.S., are the same ones that bring a rainbow of colors to candy.
Holi is popularly known as the Indian "festival of spring", the "festival of colours", or the "festival of love". The festival also celebrates the beginning of a good spring harvest season.
Historically, the Gudhi symbolizes Lord Rama's victory and happiness on returning to Ayodhya after slaying Ravana. It is believed that this festival is celebrated to commemorate the coronation of Rama post his return to Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile.
Phagwah is a Hindu religious holiday observed in March to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Hindus traditionally wear white on Phagwah day and indulge in the throwing upon each other of a harmless liquid called abeer.
Holi Festival in Varanasi
In Varanasi, the holy city of India, people celebrate Holi with much fervor and enthusiasm. In Holika Dahan, the day before Holi, people light a bonfire, throw dung cakes and wood into the fire and offer grain to the fire god.Red colour reflects fertility, blue is the colour of Krishna, yellow is the colour of turmeric, and green symbolises the start of spring and something new. Other than this, holi is also played with flower petals like that of roses, daisies, sunflowers, and even marigolds.
Baisakhi, or Vaisakhi, is the festival which celebrates Sikh New Year and the founding of the Sikh community in 1699, known as the Khalsa . It is celebrated on 13 or 14 April and began as a harvest festival in the Punjab before it became the Sikhs' most important festival.
It is mentioned in Sikh Itihaas that Guru Gobind Singh used colors like Gulaal, Ambar and Abeera for playing Holi. The tradition is still continued at Anandpur Sahib. So Holi is a Sikh festival because we all Dharamic faiths are one family.
Diwali for Sikhs
For Sikhs, Diwali is particularly important because it celebrates the release from prison of the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, and 52 other princes with him, in 1619. Sikhs celebrated the return of Guru Hargobind by lighting the Golden Temple and this tradition continues today.Maghi is the annual festival and one of the seasonal gathering of the Sikhs. Sikhs make a pilgrimage to the site of this Sikh-Mughal war, and take a dip in the sacred water tanks of Muktsar. A fair (mela) is held at Muktsar Sahib every year and called the Mela Maghi is held in memory of the forty Sikh martyrs.
As of the early 21st century, there are about 25 million Sikhs. Sikhism is based on the spiritual teachings of Guru Nanak, the first Guru (1469–1539), and the nine Sikh gurus that succeeded him.
Vaisakhi (IAST: visākhī), also known as Baisakhi, Vaishakhi, or Vasakhi is a historical and religious festival in Hinduism and Sikhism. It is usually celebrated on 13 or 14 April every year, which commemorates the formation of Khalsa panth of warriors under Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.
It is said that Lord Krishna used to play Holi with flowers of “Tesu/Palaash” or flame of the forest.
Holi Celebration in Goa
Called Shigmo, in Goa, Goa Holi festival is celebrated by all masses, irrespective of their religion. As a Goan trademark, this festival is also celebrated with drumbeats and enactments of mythology.It may also be known as Dol Purnima in Assam and Odisha. It is celebrated on the same day as Holi, the last full moon in the Hindu calendar, and also has the moniker 'Festival of Colours'. It differs from Holi in that it is the last festival of the Bengali Year and is based on a different legend to that of Holi.
Rajendra Kumar Sahu. Holi is not celebrated in South India, as seen in other parts of the country. Now, because of the migration and influence of people of other parts of India, it is being celebrated in certain localities. South India has a culture inherited from the Dravidians, which is different from that of Aryans.
In many countries abroad, Holi is now an annual event but is usually not celebrated on the same day as in India since in countries such as Russia, it is still very cold. Also, Holi is played mostly with dry colours and in designated areas such as parks. And the numbers everywhere are amazing.
At the auspicious time of Holika Dahan, using water, beads, flowers, Gulal and jaggery, Holika is worshipped. Four beads of shield and toys made of cow dung are brought home and kept safe. One in name of ancestors, second in name of Hanuman God, Third in name of Goddess Shitala, fourth in name of family.
Holi is celebrated in the spring season because it is welcoming spring. Hindus believe that spring is full of colours so they throw coloured water on each other. Holi is based on a legend about King Hiranyakashipu. Hiranyakashyap wanted to kill his son, so he called his sister, Holika.
CHANDIGARH: Holi was celebrated in Punjab, Haryana and their common capital Chandigarh with fervour and gaiety on Thursday as people smeared 'gulal', threw balloons filled with colours on each other and exchanged sweets.
The word "Holi" originates from "Holika", the evil sister of demon king Hiranyakashipu. King Hiranyakashipu had earned a boon that made him virtually indestructible. The special powers blinded him, he grew arrogant, thought he was God, and demanded that everyone worship only him.
Diwali holds significance not only in Hinduism but also in Sikhism who celebrate the release of their sixth Guru (literal translation: teacher) Hargobind. To Sikhs, it is known as Bandi Chhor Divas.
It is more than a coincidence that Christians and Sikhs celebrate the birth of their communities on the first day of spring - called Easter in northern Europe and Baisakhi in India. Our joint celebration of the annual renewal of life carries on the legacy of Jesus Christ and Guru Nanak.
Dress. The traditional dress for Punjabi men is the kurta and tehmat, which is being replaced by the kurta and pajama, especially the popular muktsari style in India. The traditional dress for women is the salwar suit which replaced the traditional Punjabi ghagra. The patiala salwar is also very popular.
Among Sikhs, the turban has traditionally been worn by men, while women cover their heads with a long scarf called a chunni or dupatta. However, many Sikh women have adopted the turban as their head covering as well.
Sikhs do not do that. Due to the parallel celebrations of the Sikh festivals or the order of the guru, one might have imagined that the Hindu festivals are celebrated by the Sikhs. Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhorh Diwas which falls on the same day as Diwali.
Guru Hargobind Ji's Birthday in 2020 is on the Sunday, 5th of Jul (7/05/2020). Guru Hargobind Ji's Birthday is on the 187th day of 2020.
All Sikh Gurus since Guru Nanak have worn turbans. Some reasons Sikhs wear the turban are to take care of the hair, promote equality, and preserve the Sikh identity. Sikhs do not cut their hair, as a religious observance. The turban protects the hair and keeps it clean.
