Since I go to a UWC, cultural awareness holds a great significance, which is why everyone got together and celebrated one of the most fun festivals I've ever been part of: HOLI!
So, to all the people that don't know what Holi is, I'll try to explain it as well as I can.
Holi is a festival celebrated in Inda. There are many different reasons why it people still take part in it. It happens according to the Gregorian calender in the month of Phalgun on the full moon day.
The main reason why people believe Holi is celebrated, is because it marks the beginning of spring and the departure of the dark winter days. This is also why some people like to call it the Spring Festival.
Nevertheless, there are many different legends that are also immediately associated with Holi. The most famous legend is the one of demon king Hiranyakashyap who wanted everyone to worship him. However, his son called Prahlad became a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap wanted his son dead, he asked his sister Holika to walk into a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. Holika was immune to fire when entering it with someone else. The legend says that Prahlad was saved at the last minute by his father Hiranyakashyap. The evil Holika burned and died and good survived. Ever since, people light a bonfire called Holika on the evening before Holi to celebrate the victory of good winning over evil. They also celebrate the triumph of devotion to god. Children have another belief that there was another legend connected to it. The legend says that and ogress called Dhundhi used to big problems to the children in the kingdom of Prithu. On the day of Holi, the children managed to chase her away. Now, the children like to play pranks at this time.
Another legend is the celebration of the death of the evil Pootana. She tried to execute Lord Krishna's devil uncle's plan by feeding the lord poisonous milk. However, Krishna sucked Pootana's blood, killing her. Some believe that Pootana represents winter, and that her death marks the end of winter.
In South India, people worship Kaamadeva. She is the god of love and passion and eventually sacrificed herself. The legend states that Kaamadeva shot a love arrow to Lord Shiva to revoke his interest in the worldy affars in the interest of earth. This only made Lord Shiva angry because he was in deep meditation. He opened his third eye and sent Kaamadeva to ashes. When Kaamadeva's wife (Rati) requested Shiva to restore him back, which he was pleased to do.
Of course, I didn't just know all these legends off the top of my head, so if you feel like reading more: check out my source by clicking right here.
So, to all the people that don't know what Holi is, I'll try to explain it as well as I can.
Holi is a festival celebrated in Inda. There are many different reasons why it people still take part in it. It happens according to the Gregorian calender in the month of Phalgun on the full moon day.
The main reason why people believe Holi is celebrated, is because it marks the beginning of spring and the departure of the dark winter days. This is also why some people like to call it the Spring Festival.
Nevertheless, there are many different legends that are also immediately associated with Holi. The most famous legend is the one of demon king Hiranyakashyap who wanted everyone to worship him. However, his son called Prahlad became a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap wanted his son dead, he asked his sister Holika to walk into a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. Holika was immune to fire when entering it with someone else. The legend says that Prahlad was saved at the last minute by his father Hiranyakashyap. The evil Holika burned and died and good survived. Ever since, people light a bonfire called Holika on the evening before Holi to celebrate the victory of good winning over evil. They also celebrate the triumph of devotion to god. Children have another belief that there was another legend connected to it. The legend says that and ogress called Dhundhi used to big problems to the children in the kingdom of Prithu. On the day of Holi, the children managed to chase her away. Now, the children like to play pranks at this time.
Another legend is the celebration of the death of the evil Pootana. She tried to execute Lord Krishna's devil uncle's plan by feeding the lord poisonous milk. However, Krishna sucked Pootana's blood, killing her. Some believe that Pootana represents winter, and that her death marks the end of winter.
In South India, people worship Kaamadeva. She is the god of love and passion and eventually sacrificed herself. The legend states that Kaamadeva shot a love arrow to Lord Shiva to revoke his interest in the worldy affars in the interest of earth. This only made Lord Shiva angry because he was in deep meditation. He opened his third eye and sent Kaamadeva to ashes. When Kaamadeva's wife (Rati) requested Shiva to restore him back, which he was pleased to do.
Of course, I didn't just know all these legends off the top of my head, so if you feel like reading more: check out my source by clicking right here.
Why did I tell you all this you ask? Because Holi is so much fun I expect everyone to love it! When people collect the little bags filled with powder, everything turns colourful. There was a moment where I couldn't see anymore, all I could feel was powder hitting me from all sides. All I could hear, was laughter and screams filled with joy. Everyone forgot who they were, everyone was a friend and everyone was a target. Then the music started, the fantastic Indian music that went along with some killer Bollywood moves.
So get together, bombard each other with colours and celebrate the arrival of Spring! Can you believe it?! Time goes far too fast sometimes.
*Photo credits go to Tomy Altaheri and Tuva Bjerkestrand Eid
*Photo credits go to Tomy Altaheri and Tuva Bjerkestrand Eid