Bisho, Jinu and Francis |
All of us after a battle of colors |
Our
first big holiday celebration in India was an awesome one –
Holi! We had the day off from school so we had plenty of time to “enjoy only” (that’s
what everyone here calls having a great time). There were some leftover colors
from the volunteers of last year, but we also went out to get more over the
course of both days. The colors range from pink (most prominent) to dark blue and red to green, all
being very vibrant and in a powder form. Since everyone is sweaty or water is
also included, the powder sticks very nicely to clothes and skin. In the
agricultural sense, Holi symbolizes the end of winter and the coming of Spring
with its vibrant colors. But this Hindu tradition is also based on several different
myths.
Holi
is celebrated on two days, this year it was March 8
and 9. On the eve of Holi, Holika Dahan takes place. This is based on a legend
involving an evil king named Hiranyakashipu. He forbade his son Prahlad from
worshipping Vishnu, but Prahlad continued to offer prayers to the god.
Getting angry with his son, Hiranyakashipu challenged Prahlad to sit on a pyre
with his wicked aunt Holika who was believed to be immune to fire. Prahlad
accepted the challenge and prayed to Vishnu to keep him safe. When the fire
started, everyone watched in amazement as Holika was burnt to death, while
Prahlad survived without a scar to show for it. The burning of Holika is
celebrated as Holi. According to some accounts, Holika begged Prahlad for
forgiveness before her demise, and he decreed that she would be remembered
every year at Holi.
At Sir Pintu's house on day 1 |
Charlotte and I with some of the hostel girls on the sports field |
The
next day at school, some of the students were playing and they got into lots of
trouble for it. Glitter is also part of the ammunition for Holi and my 11th
graders, albeit hesitant at first, put so much glitter in my face!!! After
school, on this actual day for merry-making, we ran out on the Holy Cross field
with more friends and went wild! It’s so fun because there are really no restrictions
as to whom or how much color you can apply, and everyone takes advantage of
this rule. Even out on the streets, some people would come up to us and put
colors on our faces. After a great day,
we all went back to holi our cat Jack and take outdoor showers. What a mess!!
The five of us agreed to bring this holiday back to the States so that no one
is deprived of the fun!
Below
is a poem that I found online about the
Holika tradition.
Holika Dahan
Year after year
purity of fire
is challenged by evil,
appeased with offerings
A full moon looks on
as winds stoke embers,
flare flames
to a flickering dance
Right in the center
of crimson blaze
sits Holika,
Prahlad in her lap -
her arms a circle of heat
White sparks fly from her hair,
eyes smolder in fury;
her mouth sucks in air,
engulfs rice and wheat
Wood chars,
coconuts splinter,
flowers singe
smearing earth with ash.
Year after year
faith survives.
Holika burns to death.
Holika Dahan
Year after year
purity of fire
is challenged by evil,
appeased with offerings
A full moon looks on
as winds stoke embers,
flare flames
to a flickering dance
Right in the center
of crimson blaze
sits Holika,
Prahlad in her lap -
her arms a circle of heat
White sparks fly from her hair,
eyes smolder in fury;
her mouth sucks in air,
engulfs rice and wheat
Wood chars,
coconuts splinter,
flowers singe
smearing earth with ash.
Year after year
faith survives.
Holika burns to death.
Great post and pictures!
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