Festival of Colours being Observed Today with much Fanfare

This Festival Marks the Beginning of Spring Season

  2 min 13 sec to read
Festival of Colours being Observed Today with much Fanfare

March 17: Fagu Purnima, popularly known as the festival of Holi, is being observed with much fanfare in the capital and hill districts today (March 17 this year).

This festival is also known as the festival of colours as people smear vermillion power as well as different colours to each other to celebrate the arrival of the spring season.

The festival begins on the eighth day of the new moon in the month of Falgun and ends on the full moon day today with burning of the 'Chir' or the pole, which is installed on the first day.  Elderly people believe that premonitions can be avoided if "tika" made from the ashes of the 'Chir' is put on one's forehead or kept in the house.    
According to the Hindu mythology, demon king Hiranyakashyapu, who was unhappy with his son Prahlad for his wholehearted devotion to Lord Vishnu, ordered his sister Holika to kill Prahalad. Following her brother's instruction, Holika, who had a boon from the god that fire would not harm her, sat on a pyre with Prahlad on her lap. But she was herself burnt to death while Prahalad remained unhurt due to the blessing of Lord Vishnu.    
From then onwards, the festival is also known as Holi and is celebrated by smearing colours, especially vermillion powder, with enjoyment. It is believed that Lord Vishnu had warned Holika that the boon she had received would be meaningless if she misused it.    
This year, revelers have been enjoying the festival in a grand manner as the government has lifted all kinds of restrictions issued to curb the spread of Covid-19.

This festival is celebrated in the tarai region tomorrow.

 

No comments yet. Be the first one to comment.