Celebrating Holi

Another incident occurred during this time and adds another dimension to the celebration, it is during this time that Hiranyakasipu and his sister conspired to burn his son Prahalad. Prahalad was a sincere devotee of Mahavishnu. Hiranyakasipu the king hated Mahavishnu for several reasons. He wanted to be God and all his people should worship him and him alone. His son was educated to say Hiranya Namah (salutation to Hiranya) but instead Narayan Namah, this he taught all his friends. This was a great problem for the King because his refused to acknowledge him greater than God.

The King ordered his soldiers in several occasions to kill his son:

· Strike him with weapons but Prahalad meditated on Mahavishnu, so he did not feel any pain.
· Threw him in a cage with thousands of poisonous snakes but he did not feel the bites.
· Elephants were sent to crush and kill him but he called on Vishnu and was saved.
· He was thrown in a pit of fire but his prayers made him felt he was lying on a bed of lotuses.
· He was thrown from a high mountain but the Goddess Earth received him with extended arms.
· His hands and feet were bounded and thrown in an ocean, mountains were thrown on him but he was  unhurt.
· He tried to burn him to death. Built a huge pyre and placed Prahalad on his sister Holika lap she
 had the power of being fire proof. The pyre was set on fire and when it was all burnt Prahalad crept out alive. To this day the pyre bears the name Holika - signifying the burning of evil.

As years went by Hiranyakasipu's anger increased, he realized he is a failure. He could not tolerate his son worshipping Mahavishnu. He jumped up from his seat with a sword in his hand asked Prahalad, "where is your Vishnu?" Prahalad calmly replied "Vishnu's present is everywhere". He struck the nearest pillar with his sword. To his surprise Mahavishnu in the form of a fierce man-lion jumped out of the pillar he took the King to the door-way and on his lap tore him to pieces he died. [The reason for this is the king had a special boon. he will not die by man or animal on the ground or in the air in the house or outside day or night.

Tradition

The morning after the burning of the Holika, the men folks walk around the place where the pyre was, beating drum, crashing jaais, singing chowtal. The ashes are collected and sprinkled on each other. This signifies the love for Vishnu and the act of humility and cooperation. The ashes are taken home

for it is a belief that the ash can protect against disease the people celebrate by sprinkling water on each other. They go to their temples offer prayers share their joy and happiness by singing chowtal and Holi songs. They squirt abeer, sprinkle powder and sweet smelling perfumes. They meet in their homes with their families and friends. Groups of people go around in the community singing and dancing.

The colors are symbolic of the different colors of spring. Phagwah is a time when all barriers are broken; it helps to bond the family unit together. It fosters togetherness in the family and the community. The story of Prahalad teaches that "Truth always Prevail". Have Faith and trust in God and you will be successful in all your endeavors.

"Good always triumph over evil."

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