BURA NA MANO HOLI HAI....

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Varieties of hues color the sky like a coloring book on the festive of Holi. Colors, bonfires, sweets - a way to celebrate it.This is one of the favorite festivals of people in IndiaÂ irrespective of religion, caste, social status.On this day all Indians come together and celebrate like anything .This fest is known by vivid names in vivid parts with the same essence like Lathmar holi in UP, khadi holi, hola mohalla in Punjab, basant utsav in WestBengal, Phaguwa, Rang panchami in Maharashtra .The flavor of Holi is same everywhere.Early morning Puja is done.Gulal is applied on each and every family members face. Then, Muhalla Aunties come and exchange the gulal, sweets, and wishes.

Be a free spirit to play with colors

1. Phalgun Purnima : 1st march 2018

It is celebrated on the Phalgun Purnima, at the beginning of march. It is a full moon day in the Phalgun month.In 2018, it will be on 1st march.It depicts the triumph of good over evil.

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2. Narsimha killed the demon Hiranakashyap

There are many reverences attached to Holi fest.It is been believed that Holi is named after Holika.Once there was a Demon king called Hiranakashyap who had a son, Prahlad and a sister, Holika. Hiranakshyap did everything to impress Lord Brahma to become immortal.Brahma ji left with no choice and granted a boon that made him indestructible. He grew arrogant and started assuming himself a God in vanity. He ordered everyone to worship him.But his own son, Prahlad was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. This exasperated Hirankashyap. He plotted different punishments for Prahlad.But all went in vain, it didn't affect him. Later, Holika was called to burn Prahlad. Holika too was granted a boon that she could bathe in fire but alone.She trickled Prahlad to sit on her lap and sat in fire. Prahlad started murmuring in the name of Lord Vishnu. Holika burnt to death, Prahlad came out unharmed. Vishnu appeared in the Avatar of Narsimha- half human,half lion at dusk took hiranakashyap at the doorstep on his lap killed king with his lion claws.

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3. Holi Puja

Holika Puja bestows power, prosperity and wealth.It is done before Holika dahan in the morning.During Holika Dahan, idol of Prahlada is taken out. Also four beads of cow dung are kept safe before bonfire. One is kept safe in the name of ancestors, second in the name of God Hanuman, third in name of Goddess Sheetala and fourth in the name of the family.

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4. Bonfire : Holika dahan

Pieces of wood, hay, and twigs are brought together and piled roughly in the shape of a hut called Bonfires. Holika bonfires ignited the night before the holi where people gather, dance, eat and sing.Dhols are the major attraction. People dance on the beats of dhol.And pray for prosperity, positiveness and good health.Next day the ash of bonfire is collected and smeared on the body.It is believed that body and soul is purified after applying it.

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5. Special dishes

Different varieties of food is prepared.Gujia, Namkeen, Mathhi, Thandai, Samosa, Malpua, Bhang bhujia, Dahi papdi are the dishes made specially on this fest.

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6. Bhang Thandai

Holi is incomplete without Bhang. Maharaj ji is called to prepare the bhang for the mass.Bhang is an edible preparation of cannabis.For a beverage it is mixed with milk and filtered, then often flavored with kusha grass, sugar, fruit, and various spices.

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7. Rainbow Day

How one can forget 'Mharo Rangeelo Rajasthan'? In Mathura and Vrindavan, people celebrate the holi in a peculiar way.People depict the love of krishna and Radha on this day.Pichkari (Holi water gun) is used to shower the colored water on each other.Exchange of gulal and use of permamnent colors in the gulal is trendy.It feel like rainbow on earth.Most awaiting festival is on 1st march this year.

8. Request: Take care of animals.

Holi is not for animals. Colors contain chemicals that are too hazardious to animals.Please its a hearty request you to take care of animals around you.Donot color them.Keep them away from colors.Play safe.