Holi is known to be the festival of colors. But behind the fun, festivity, colors and sweets is a interesting story. Many year ago, To save earth from the captivity of Hiranyaksha, Lord Vishnu had arrived in the avatar (incarnation) Varaha (boar) form and killed him. Hiranyakashipu, Elder brother of Hiranyaksha wanted to take revenge on the devotees and in particular on Lord Vishnu. He wanted to become the master of all the three worlds -Heaven, Earth & Pathala.
According to a story from Bhagavata Purana, Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha are Vishnu's gatekeepers Jaya and Vijaya, born on earth as the result of a curse from the Four Kumaras. In Satya Yuga, Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha - together called the Hiranyas - were born to Diti,daughter of Daksha Prajapathi , and sage Kashyapa.
He went to the Himalayas and began to perform severe penance for many years. Lord Brahma was pleased by his penance and asked him for a boon. He asked for a boon that would make him as good as immortal. He asked that let death do not come to me either by man or beast, nor devil, nor god shall cause my death by day or by night with steel or stone or wood, indoors or outdoors, or earth or in sky. Grant me undisputed lordship over the world. With Boon, he became very domineering and egoistic. In this state of mind he ordered that only he should be worshipped as God in his kingdom. Now considered himself invincible and started a reign of terror, hurting and killing everyone on earth and conquest of the three lokas.
Whilst Hiranyakashipu had been performing the penance to be granted this boon, his home had been attacked by Indra and the other devas seizing the opportunity in his absence. Lord Indra had even abducted his wife, Queen Kayadhu who was expecting a child. At this point the divine sage, Narada intervened in order to protect Hiranyakashipu's wife, Kayadhu and the unborn baby who was a supreme devotee of Lord Vishnu. Under the guidance of Narada, her unborn child (Hiranyakashipu's son) Prahlada, became affected by the transcendental instructions of the sage even at such a young stage of development.
Hiranyakashipu eventually becomes so angry and upset at his son's devotion to Vishnu (who he sees as his mortal enemy) that he decides he must kill him. The demons tried to use their illusionary powers on Prahlad but none of their powers could stand before him. He tried to influence Prahlad against Lord Vishnu but failed and Prahlad was still as devoted as ever to Lord Vishnu. He ordered him to be trampled underfoot by an elephant. The enraged elephant was unable to crush the body. They thrown him over a precipice, but, as Vishnu resided in the heart of Prahlada, he came down upon the earth as gently as a flower drops upon the grass. They tried Poison, burn, starvation, throwing into a well, enchantments, and other measures on the child one after another, but to no purpose. They failed in all their attempts because Lord Vishnu was protecting his devotee.
As a last hope, the king called his demoness sister, Holika for help. Holika has a distinctive cloak that when worn prevented her from being harmed by fire. By preparing a bonfire Hiranyakashipu asked Holika to sit with his son Prahlad in her lap in the hope that he will become a victim to fire. Without any fear of death Prahlada started chanting the mantras of Lord Vishnu. As the fire grew, a strong breeze started swaying the cloak. The cloak flew from Holika and covered Prahlad. It was then that she was charred to death and Prahlad remained unharmed.
Since then, the night is celebrated as Holika Dahan. Hindus build bonfire with woods celebrates the victory and devotion of Prahlada or the success of good over evil and enjoy next day with colours.
In Lord krishana's Ras-Lila period, Lord krishana played Holi with Radha thus every year, In Vandavan, Millions of people use to celebrate Holi.
we used to put Colors (Gulal) on each other and traditional sweets like Gujiya and Malpuas are enjoyed with family and friends.
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