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Holi-Festival of Colors is a spring festival celebrated by Hindus with full enthusiasm and joy. Holi is one of the major festivals of India and people here enjoy the day with colors such as gulal and abeer. However, people in different states celebrate it in different ways as per their customs, but the spirit that  people hold on this day is unique and this is what makes this day so special. It is celebrated throughout the country and across the world by Hindus to fill their lives with joy. Sweets, especially gujiya, colors, and holika dahan or bonfire are some major attractions of this joyous day. Markets are decorated a month before to welcome the unique festival. Sweets are prepared days before holi by the ladies at home. The festival is of much importance for children as they enjoy it in a special way by throwing balloons filled with water on others and spraying colors on one another with their pichkaris.                     

The festival is connected with many legends and the most popular of them is the end of evil spirit Hiranyakashyap who wanted everyone to worship him in his kingdom. His only son Prahlad was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu that made Hiranyakashyap angry. To punish him, Hiranyakashyap asked his sister Holika to sit in fire with Prahlad as she was immune to fire but Lord Vishnu saved his devotee Prahlad, who then killed his father Hiranyakashyap to save the society from his bad customs. Thus, a holika or bonfire is prepared on holi eve which is then tuned into fires to celebrate the win of good over evil.  

Apart from  Hiranyakashyap legend, there are many others associated with this festival such as death of evil-minded Pootana and in south India, people worship Kaamadeva for his sacrifice on this day. People celebrate the festivals due to different reasons but the ultimate celebration is the win of good over evil.  

Holi is a festival of colors and on this auspicious day people play with colorful abeer and gulal to express their love towards their loved ones. Colorful water is sprayed on everyone and balloons filled with it are thrown on whomsoever bypasses by children and even adults. People eat sweets such as gujiya and matri to celebrate the day. Pichkaris are a delight for children who use them to spray colors on everyone. People dance and play with colors to enjoy the day. 

The holi is played with colors as it is a common belief that Lord Krishna started this ritual long time back by applying gulal on his beloved Radha. Thus, the day is even more special for people in love who enjoys the day with their partners. Bhang is commonly consumed on the day of Holi to enhance the spirit of festival.

After a playful day of colors, people take rest and meet their relatives and friends in the evening to exchange sweets and good wishes. Everyone forgets their problems on this special day and enjoy the festival with full enthusiasm. 

Wish you all a “Happy Holi”!!!