4 Pillars Of Holi

Holi is one of the biggest and most vibrant festivals of India. People around the world celebrate it with great pomp. You can see people spreading the love of Holi in their community with great joy and energy.

According to Hindu mythology, Holi is a celebration of everything good. It is also celebrated to welcome the harvesting season. In modern times, Holi is deemed as a festival that brings people together and strengthens the bonds between people.

Every individual might follow a different tradition. But in the end, everyone is extremely excited about the celebrations. However, there is more to Holi than just applying powdered color (gulal) on others. So let’s learn more about how we can celebrate this vibrant festival to its full glory!

Why Is Holi Celebrated?

As Per Hindu traditions, Holi is a celebration of the victory of good over evil. Over the years, the motives may have changed. But every ritual that’s carried out during this festival still sticks to this base idea.

Let’s learn about the four primary rituals of Holi to understand them better.

The Holi Bonfire (Holika Dahan)

The night before you play around with water and colors, you have to conduct a special Holi pooja. This pooja is called the Holika Dahan.

This ritual is based on the legend of Holika. As per Hindu mythology, Holika tried to kill her nephew Prahlad because of his devotion to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu rescued Prahlad by killing the evil Holika.

People contribute pieces of wood from their household to commemorate this glorious moment. This wood represents every bad fortune they carry. People gather a huge pile of wood at a commonplace in the community. The night before the celebrations, they burn this pile in the presence of everyone in the community.

Playing With Colors (Rangwali Holi)

Rangwali Holi is the most exciting part of Holi. The morning after the pooja, everyone comes together and celebrates the festival with one another. They apply colorful gulal and pour water on each other. They dance to loud music and enjoy chilled thandai under the morning sun.

Some people even like to go to distant places to celebrate Holi with their extended families. There are also specific spots around the world that throw large Holi parties. Many people attend such celebrations as well.

Apart from just applying colors and pouring water, people also use water guns and balloons to celebrate Holi. Some organizers also hire a DJ or band for the music.

The Day Of Forgiveness

Rangwali Holi is a day of forgiveness. On this day, the phrase ‘bura na maano, Holi hai’ is commonly used. It means that you’re asking the person to forgive you of all your mistakes and start afresh from that day.

Even the rituals are a symbol of forgiveness. On the day of the bonfire, you let go of all your bad omen as it burns to ashes. The next day, you forget and forgive everything and celebrate the festival gloriously. Hence, the festival of Holi is a great way to bring everyone together and stay united.

Delicacies Of Holi

Another great way to ask for forgiveness and create strong bonds is through food. Sharing and distributing food is a way of celebrating Holi. Some communities also coordinate with each other to make sure they all don’t end up making too much of the same dish. Therefore, everyone gets a variety of delicious treats.

Some of the most common snacks had during Holi are Corn Kachori, Moong Dal Kachori, Lilva Kachori, Masala Mathi, Punjabi Mathi, Potato and Peas Samosa, Spinach and Cheese Samosa, Papdi Gathia, Bhavnagari Gathia, Chorafali, Peanut Bhujia, Alu Bhujia, Masala Chickpeas, and Chana Dal.

Like every Indian festival, you should also have and offer mithai. Some of the heavenly sweet dishes to have during Holi are Badam Malai Peda, Kesari Peda, Rasmalai, Pista Burfi, Rajbhog Burfi, Coconut Burfi, Mango Burfi, Bundi Ladoo, Khari Ladoo, Besan Ladoo, Sweet Boondi, Kalakand, Kaju Katli, Three Layer Katli, Mango Kaju Katli, Kaju Pista Roll, Jalebi, and Amrati.

Drinks offered during the festival of Holi include Chaas, Salty Lassi, Sweet Lassi, Thandai, and Piyush.

Holi 2021

While celebrating Holi in public may not be recommended during the pandemic, you can still celebrate the festival.

You can order authentic Indian food from Rajbhog. We will deliver your food at your doorstep, and delight your loved ones.

You can have a small Holi pooja in your backyard and invite your neighbors to them. You can also share the happiness of Holi with them by giving them a Holi gift hamper.

Spread the love, share the happiness, and have a wonderful Holi this year!