Holi, also known as the festival of colors, is right here. We are all set to enter into the festive mode and almost all preparations are complete. With this post, we have brought to you the exact details of celebrating Holi 2021. You will get all the information you need right at your fingertips.
• What has changed this year?
While some places have imposed complete lockdowns or night curfews, others have allowed celebrations with certain restrictions. Based on which area you reside in, you can celebrate Holi with much delight and fanfare. This time, some people have not been able to reach their hometown due to recommended precautions. Those who have reached might have to limit their celebrations.
Other new things include a “masked” Holi. Though smiles might be hidden, the enthusiasm shouldn’t die out. People who have taken shots of the vaccine are also recommended not to ignore the protocols. It is even possible that you will have to replace hugging gestures with a simple bow or some other form of contactless wish.
• Timing and other things
Timings for the Holika Dahan poojan are 6:22 pm to 8:49 pm. During this time, people burn a heap of dried wooden sticks which are collected right from Vasant Panchmi. This way, people offer prayers to the Gods. The offerings include coconuts, among other things. Even dances are organized.
In Gujarat, the Holi garba is quite famous. It is said that this burning process is to kill all the bad thoughts and elements inside humans.
On 29th, people play colors as per their own whims and fancies. Some prefer early morning while others indulge in pool parties till late at night. Irrespective of the time, just take care of yourself and your families.
• Folktale
As per tradition, an aunt-nephew story is famous for the celebration of Holi. The aunt was Holika and the nephew was Prahlad. Holika was the sister of Prahlad’s father Kirnyakashyap. The tussle was on the fact that the son worshipped the Almighty instead of his powerful father. To punish him for doing so, the father decided to kill him. Holika had a blessing that she won’t burn in fire. Therefore, she sat in the fire with Prahlad in her lap.
Owing to the Almighty’s blessings, Prahlad was saved and Holika died in the fire. With this, it was established that blessings and any good onus used for harming someone else won’t be fruitful. People have also symbolized Prahlad as good thoughts while Holika symbolizes our inner negatives.
This story has a lot of different versions nowadays. Some people recite it during Holika Dahan while some teach their kids how to maintain their goodwill. In some curriculums, it is a part of the Hindi syllabus as well.
