Holi the festival of colours - Significance

Full Moon day in Phalguna masam is celebrated as Holi festival. If that day is associated with Uttara Phalguni star it is said to be highly meritorious for worshiping Goddess Sri Maha Lakshmi. It is also a Manvaadi day when Brahma Saavarni Manvanthara had commenced.

Holi festival is associated with the story of Lord Shiva and Manmatha who is also known as Kamadeva. In South India it is known as Kama-Dahana meaning burning of lust. We find people lighting a bonfire in commemoration of Manmatha (Kamadeva) the Lord of passion, getting burnt to the furious gaze of Lord Shiva when He was disturbed from His steadfast penance. When Manmatha got burnt into ashes he became body-less without any form and came to be known as Ananga.  Later in the 28th Dwapara Yuga during Sri Krishna-avathara Manmatha was born as son of Lord Sri Krishna and Rukmini Devi and came to be known as Pradyumna.

Holi festival is also associated with the story of Holika (the demoness sister of Hiranyakasipa) who was immune to fire.  She placed Prahlada (son of Hiranyakasipa) on her lap and immolated herself. As fate would have its say, Holika was reduced to ashes and Prahlada remained unscathed by the flames due to his utmost faith and devotion on Lord Vishnu and with the grace of Lord Sri Hari. Thenceforth the day is commemorated as Holi (Holika) festival symbolically burning the rubbish along with chanting of evil expletives representing the destruction of evil in us. This tradition of lighting a bonfire carries a message to mark the burning of our Arishadvargas (negative passions). Holi symbolizes the victory of good over the evil.

Basically a spring festival, Holi is also known as festival of colours which is celebrated with great fanfare by Hindus as well as Sikhs sprinkling colours/colour water on each other. Holi festival has socio-cultural and religious significance, participated by one and all irrespective of caste & creed without any social stigma.