Holi festival, popularly known as the Festival of Colors, is an important Hindu festival celebrated in India, Nepal, Guyana, Trinidad, and the United Kingdom. Holi is a spring festival observed on the Phalgun Purnima, which usually falls on the February end or early March. Similar to most other Hindu festivals, Holi also celebrates the victory of 'good' over ‘evil’. The most important ritual celebrated on Holi is spraying colours on each other, and this is the reason why Holi is known as the “Festival of Colors”. Holi is known as Doljatra (Dolyatra) or Boshonto Utsav in West Bengal and in Orissa, Holi is observed as Dola Purnima. This year, Holika Dahan 2012 date is on 7th March 2012 and Holi Festival is celebrated on 8th March 2012, Thursday.
Holi festival begins on Duwadashi, three days before full moon day (purmina) on the Rang Pashi. All entire family members gather in the evening and the female members in the family sprinkle gulal on all the male members in the family. The second day is called ‘Puno’ and Holika Dahan, or buring of the demoness Holika (demon King Hiranyakashipu's sister), is performed on this day. It is believed that on this day young Prahlad was escaped when demoness Holika carried him into fire. In the evening hundreds of people gather on the street and huge bonfires are lit to mark the Holika Dahan ritual. Holika Dahan is known as Kama Dahanam in Andhra Pradesh.
Read the Story of Holika and Prahlad Here
The next day is called Dhulheti or `Parva`, is the main day of Holi Festival. On this day people celebrate the event of Holi by throwing coloured powders and coloured water at each other. To avoid any skin diseases during the weather changes, natural coloured powders traditional made of Neem, Bilva, Kumkum (Kum Kum), Haldi, and other medicinal herbs are prescribed by Ayurvedic physicians.
The 5th day of the pourmani is the Rangapanchami or Ranga Panchami, which marks the end of Holi Festival.
Holi Festival Dates in Previous Years
On 2009, Holika Dahan occurs on 10th March 2009 and Holi is observed on 11th March 2009. Rangapanchami falls on 15th March 2009.
In 2010, Holi festival was celebrated on 28th February to1st March 2010.
In 2011, Holi Festival was celebrated on 20th March 2011.
Wishing all the Hindu Devotional Blog readers a Happy Holi Festival 2012!
Holi festival begins on Duwadashi, three days before full moon day (purmina) on the Rang Pashi. All entire family members gather in the evening and the female members in the family sprinkle gulal on all the male members in the family. The second day is called ‘Puno’ and Holika Dahan, or buring of the demoness Holika (demon King Hiranyakashipu's sister), is performed on this day. It is believed that on this day young Prahlad was escaped when demoness Holika carried him into fire. In the evening hundreds of people gather on the street and huge bonfires are lit to mark the Holika Dahan ritual. Holika Dahan is known as Kama Dahanam in Andhra Pradesh.
Read the Story of Holika and Prahlad Here
The next day is called Dhulheti or `Parva`, is the main day of Holi Festival. On this day people celebrate the event of Holi by throwing coloured powders and coloured water at each other. To avoid any skin diseases during the weather changes, natural coloured powders traditional made of Neem, Bilva, Kumkum (Kum Kum), Haldi, and other medicinal herbs are prescribed by Ayurvedic physicians.
The 5th day of the pourmani is the Rangapanchami or Ranga Panchami, which marks the end of Holi Festival.
Holi Festival Dates in Previous Years
On 2009, Holika Dahan occurs on 10th March 2009 and Holi is observed on 11th March 2009. Rangapanchami falls on 15th March 2009.
In 2010, Holi festival was celebrated on 28th February to1st March 2010.
In 2011, Holi Festival was celebrated on 20th March 2011.
Wishing all the Hindu Devotional Blog readers a Happy Holi Festival 2012!
Can you please post "Manideepa Varnanam" which i've been searching sice long time.
ReplyDeleteHi Bindu,
ReplyDeleteCan you give a few more details about Manideepa Varnanam, so I can try to find it for you.