#Thread on holi showing its rich culture and traditions. A deep dive into texts and our history 🕉🕉
History of Holi : i)The Holi festival is an ancient Hindu festival with its cultural rituals. It is mentioned in the Puranas, Dasakumara Charita, and by the poet Kālidāsa during the 4th century reign of Chandragupta II
History of Holi : ii)Holi is an ancient festival of India and was originally known as 'Holika'. The festivals finds a detailed description in early religious works such as Jaimini's Purvamimamsa-Sutras and Kathaka-Grhya-Sutras.
iii)Historians also believe that Holi was celebrated by all Aryans but more so in the Eastern part of India. It is said that Holi existed several centuries before Christ. However, the meaning of the festival is believed to have changed over the years.
iv)Earlier it was a special rite performed by married women for the happiness and well-being of their families and the full moon (Raka) was worshiped.
V)Reference in Ancient Paintings and Murals : The festival of Holi also finds a reference in the sculptures on walls of old temples. A 16th century panel sculpted in a temple at Hampi, capital of Vijayanagar, shows a joyous scene of Holi.
vi)The painting depicts a Prince and his Princess standing amidst maids waiting with syringes or pichkaris to drench the Royal couple in coloured water.
vii)Italian traveller Niccolo De Conti wrote in his travelogue
'There are also three other festival days, during which they sprinkle all passers-by, even the king and queen themselves, with saffron water, placed for that purpose by the wayside This is received with much laughter'
'There are also three other festival days, during which they sprinkle all passers-by, even the king and queen themselves, with saffron water, placed for that purpose by the wayside This is received with much laughter'
legend of holi and cultural significance: i)
Why we colour each other in holi:
i)We imitate Krishna's pastimes.The powders are supposed to be auspicious and well-scented substances like sandal, musk, turmeric, kunkuma and aguru covered with lacquer to form balls that dissipate upon impact.
i)We imitate Krishna's pastimes.The powders are supposed to be auspicious and well-scented substances like sandal, musk, turmeric, kunkuma and aguru covered with lacquer to form balls that dissipate upon impact.
ii)They are supposed to be thrown with love and create bliss in the target. This is how Krishna is playing with the gopis, but the modern imitators might have different standards.
reference to that in text:
Krishna is infinitely rich, has no formal obligations towards anyone and is not limited in time or in any other way. The sole purpose of his existence is to enjoy, so why not? Holi festival is a sutable way to express love and amuse themselves.
It is similar to cake throwing in the western movies. Krishna might as well be throwing gold and diamonds, but those substances are not so pleasing upon impact. At other festivities they also throw butter on each other.
baby Krishna transitioned into his characteristic dark blue skin colour because a she demon Putana poisoned him with her breast milk.
In his youth, Krishna despairs whether fair skinned Radha and other Gopikas (girls) will like him because of his skin colour.
In his youth, Krishna despairs whether fair skinned Radha and other Gopikas (girls) will like him because of his skin colour.
His mother, tired of the desperation, asks him to approach Radha and colour her face in any colour he wanted. This he does, and Radha and Krishna became a couple. The playful colouring of the face of Radha has henceforth been commemorated as Holi.
that was about traditions. Holi is celebrated in brajmadal(vrindavan+mathura+barsana+nandgao) region very happily.
The holi of braj is a must have experience:
Below is glimpse from shri banke bihari temple
The holi of braj is a must have experience:
Below is glimpse from shri banke bihari temple
Another culture of holi in braj is "Widow holi". Not only a festival, But the level of women progessiveness in vedic society
hindustantimes.com
hindustantimes.com
another is "Lathmaar" holi. which literally mean beating with sticks holi. This also has a beautiful story:
Lord Krishna who was resident of Nandgaon and considered as the son-in-law of Vrishabhanu wanted to spray the colors on his beloved Radha and her friends. But, as Krishna and his friends entered Barsana, they were playfully greeted with the sticks by Radha and her friends,
who drove them out of Barsana. Following the same trend, every year on the occasion of Holi, the men of Nandagaon who are treated as son-in-laws of Barsana visit Barsana and are greeted by women with colors and sticks (aka lathi).
The celebration is enacted in perfect good humor by both the sides, men of Nandgaon and women of Barsana.
thats the thread. Holi is the most beautiful festival to ever exist.
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