Holi can be termed as the most awaiting festival in the Gujarat. It is a spring festival and also known as the festival of colors and also festival of love and happiness.
Holi is an ancient Hindu religious festival which also famous in non-Hindu communities and also become a symbol of communal harmony in the India. It is celebrated in almost all states of the India and Nepal. However, it is also celebrated in many countries where Hindu community resides. The Holi festival has also become a spring celebration festival as it comes in the initial days of the spring season.
In India, holi celebration lasts for two days. It starts with Holika bonfire on the 1st day evening where people gather and circumambulation over the bonfire. According to ancient legend, Holika was the wicked sister of the demon king HiranyaKashipu who had earned a blessing that made him indestructible. He started believing that he is the God. However, his own son Prahlad was the devotee of Lord Vishnu. HiranyaKashipu tried all the evil ways to destroy Prahlad, but in vein. Finally, he asked his sister Holika to sit with Prahlad on a pyre. She was wearing a cloak to save herself from the fire. As the fire roared, the cloak flew from Holika and covered Prahlad. Holika burned and Prahlad survived. Later on, Vishnu killed HiranyaKashipu. The Bonfire reminds us the symbolic victory of good over evil.
Next day morning, the atmosphere turned out fully colorful as people play, chase and color each other with dry powder and colored water. Youngsters also roam around the roads carrying water guns and start water-fight. At this day, people can throw colored water on strangers with the favourite quote- Bura na mano, holi he…” (Please don’t mind, its holi…)
In evening after a day full of fun and joy, they visit their relatives and friends and dine together celebrating the festival. This is the national holiday in India.