History of the Holidays: Holi 2023

A short video about the legends and traditions of Holi, one of the most popular Hindu festivals.
According to a legend found in chapter 7 of the Bhagavata Purana, King Hiranyakashipu, the father of Prahlada, was the ruler of the evil Asuras. He had attained a boon that gave him five unique abilities: he could not be killed by humans or animals, nor could he be killed by astra (projectile weapons), nor by any shastra (handheld weapons), nor by being on land, in water, or in the air. Hiranyakashipu became arrogant, believed himself to be God, and insisted that everyone worship only him. However, Prahlada, Hiranyakashipu's own son, was in disagreement and stayed committed to Lord Vishnu.Hiranyakashipu was enraged by this. He subjected Prahlada to cruel punishments, but none of them had any effect on the young man or his resolve to uphold his moral convictions. Finally, Prahlada's wicked aunt Holika conned him into sitting with her on a pyre. Holika was protected from fire damage by a cloak she was wearing, but Prahlada was not. But later, Holika's cloak flew from her as the flames raged, encasing Prahlada, who lived while Holika perished.
Radha and Krishna
The puranic text known as the Garga Samhita, written by Sage Garga, is the first work of literature to refer to the romantic description of Radha and Krishna playing Holi. The festival is also explained by a well-known symbolic legend. Krishna used to worry that Radha, who has fair skin, wouldn't like him because of his dark skin. Yashoda, his mother, who had grown weary of his pleading, instructed him to go up to Radha and ask her to paint his face any colour she desired. And this act of love brought the union of Radha and Krishna.
Ever since the playful coloring of Radha and Krishna's faces has been commemorated as Holi. Also, this is the reason why we celebrate Holi with colours.
Read more about the festival at www.officeholi...