Holi (Festival of Colors)

The Story

Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, attempted to burn young Prahlada (devoted to Vishnu) while sitting in fire. Holika herself was burned because the boon of fire-immunity worked only when alone. Prahlada, protected by his bhakti, emerged unharmed. Krishna's color-play with the gopis at Vrindavan is the second layer.

Two-Day Cycle

1. 1

   Holika Dahan / Chhoti Holi

   Bonfire on Phalguna purnima night — burning of Holika and Prahlada's protection by Vishnu

2. 2

   Rangwali Holi / Dhulendi

   Colors, water, songs, sweets — celebrating Krishna's playful color-throwing with Radha and gopis

Vidhi · How It's Done

• Holika Dahan: gather wood, dried cow-dung cakes; perform parikrama; offer akshat, kumkum, flowers; chant Vishnu/Narasimha mantras; light the bonfire after sunset
• Throw colored powder (gulal) and water on family and friends the next morning
• Visit relatives, share sweets and bhang (in some regions)
• Sing Holi songs / kirtan

Key Mantras

• ॐ नमो नारायणाय
• Narasimha mantra: ॐ उग्रं वीरं महाविष्णुं ज्वलन्तं सर्वतोमुखम्

Bhog · Festival Foods

Gujiya · Mathri · Dahi vada · Thandai (with bhang in some regions) · Puran Poli · Malpua

Regional Variants

• · Mathura/Vrindavan: 16-day-long Holi with Lathmar Holi (Barsana — women hit men with sticks), Phoolon Wali Holi at Banke Bihari temple
• · Bengal: Dol Yatra / Dol Purnima (Krishna procession)
• · Punjab: Hola Mohalla (Sikh — martial display, day after Holi)
• · Goa: Shigmo (15-day spring carnival)
• · Kumaon: Baithki Holi (musical Holi sessions)
• · South India: Kamadahana — burning of Kamadeva by Shiva commemorated