Daily Times

The day after Holika conflagration and bonfire is celebrated as Holi. In Braj region of India, where Krishna grew up along with the festival, is celebrated for 16 days (until Rangpanchmi) in remembrance of the heavenly love of Radha for Krishna, a Hindu deity.

The festivities are formally conducted in mid-season spring, with Holi celebrated as the festival of love. Holi is an antique festival and it was formerly recognised as Holika. The festival identifies a comprehensive report in early spiritual and religious works. Fundamentally, Holi brings culture and people together. It symbolises peace and unity. Hindus attend a public bonfire, spray friends and family with coloured powders, water and generally go a bit wild on the roads, filled with enthusiasm.

In Pakistan, Holi is celebrated with food, dance, song and music. The night before the festival people usually get together and decorate their homes and worship places, which is called the Holika bonfire. Afterwards they gather around it and sing and dance. The next morning, everyone exchanges colour powders and uses different tools such as water bottles with different colours and then they run around, colouring their friends and family members in the process.

Areas like Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana, Sukkur, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan and Hazara witness the celebrations. Keeping this in mind, there was an ancient temple located in Multan with the name of Prahladpuri Temple. It is established later than Prahlada and devoted to the Narasimha, a god. Holi’s precise appearance and intention show immense selection. This festival plays significant part which contained the coloured powder and multicolour forms. Holi is an occasion people shake off the gloom of winter, cheer in the colours and energy of spring.

Holi is narrated through several legends. The myth celebrated engages a wicked evil ruler named Hiranyakashipu. He prevented his son Prahlad from worshipping Vishnu, while Radha persistently worshiped the god. Annoyed with his son, Hiranyakashipu challenged Prahlad to sit on a pyre with his evil aunt Holika, who was believed to be resistant to bonfire. In an exchange account, Holika placed herself and Prahlad on the fire after orders from her brother. Consequently, Prahlad accepted the challenge by praying to Vishnu. When the fire erupted, everybody observed in astonishment as Holika was burnt to death, while Prahlad stayed alive without a blemish.

The blaze of Holika is celebrated as the Holi festival. According to several versions of the legend, Holika requested Prahlad for pardon before her demise. Later on, Prahlad declared that she would be remembered every year at Holi. Hence, to this day, Holi is celebrated as as festival of love. Holi is a time to reach out with the colours of joy. It is the time to love and forgive. It is the time to express the happiness of being loved and to be love through colours.

The Karachi-based blogger is an independent researcher. He can be reached at avinash.researcher@gmail.com