BHADERWAH,MAR 01 (KNO) : The Holi fever has gripped the entire Chenab valley and everyone is lost in enjoying the riot of colours. Fun, frolic, music and dance marked festival of colours in Bhaderwah , Doda , Kishtwar , Batote , Ramban and other parts today.
The people from early hours especially youth were seen in groups sprinkling colours on each other in streets, parks, bazaars and road sides.Enjoying the celebration of the festival they were dancing to the beating of drums. Drenched in colours, people were seen celebrating the festival of colours with full enthusiasm.There was much enthusiasm among youth and children, who were seen playing Holi in markets, streets, and houses .
Shops and markets in the Chenab valley wore a festive look.Some special Holi parties were also organised at different places , where dance, DJ and lunch were a special attraction.It is notable to mention here that Holi is a special time of year to remember those who are close to our hearts with splashing colors.
The Holi is most fun-filled, cheerful, lively and vivacious Hindu festival; it is related to mythical tales. Being an ancient festival it is believed that Holi existed several centuries before Christ but its significance is believed to have changed over the years. Besides having a detailed description in the Vedas and Puranas such as Narad Purana and Bhavishya Purana, the festival of Holi finds a mention in Jaimini Mimansa (written by Rishi Jaimini one of the most important ancient Hindu philosophical texts). Holi also marks the start of spring, for many the start of the New Year, an occasion for people to enjoy the changing seasons and makes new friends.
A legendry version of Holi celebration is linked to the story of king `Hiranyakashyapu' an Asura from the Puranic scripture 'Narad Purana' of Hinduism who has earned a boon from 'Brahma' that made him virtually indestructible. He grew arrogant, thought he was God, and demanded that everyone worship only him. His own son 'Prahlad' greatest devotee of 'Lord Vishnu' refused to recognize his father as god.
Annoyed father decided to kill his son and obtained the services of his sister namely 'Holika' having magic power to be safe in fire. She took 'Prahlad' in her lap and sat on burning fire but the results were opposite, 'Holika' was burnt and 'Prahlad' came out safe. The day regarded as triumph of good over evil and is celebrated as Holi. In 'Bhavishya Purana', we come across another story of Holi. In the kingdom of 'Raghu', there lived an ogress called 'Dhundhi' who was known for troubling children.
With hard attempts, she was chased away by the people on the day of Holi and the event of bonfire on this day is celebrated in the memory of this event as a mark of the victory of good over evil. Its celebration is also mentioned in the 7th-century Sanskrit drama 'Ratnavali' characterizing princess named 'Ratnavali', and a great king named 'Udayana' attributed to the Indian emperor 'Harsha' (606-648). Its first textual references are of Holi.In Braj region of UP state the legendry goes as that Krishna loved Radha, but felt self-conscious about how different their skin-colors were. So on the advice of his mother, he went and playfully painted her face so it was the same color as his. The playful coloring of Radha's face by lord Krishna is commemorated as Holi.
Holi is of particular significance in the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh, where lord Krishna grew up, which includes locations traditionally associated with the Lord Krishna: Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandgaon, and Barsana. In Braj region the Holi is celebrated as tribute to the divine love of Radha for Krishna. The legendary significance of Holi in the Hindu traditions Shaivism (its followers are called "Shaivites" major traditions within Hinduism that reveres Shiva as the Supreme) and Shaktism (major traditions within Hinduism wherein the metaphysical reality is considered feminine and the Devi (goddess) is supreme) is linked to Shiva in yoga and deep meditation.
Once Kama Hindu god of love, trying to awaken lord Shiva from deep meditation as requested by goddess Parvati was burned to ashes, the moment lord Shiva opened his third eye. Rati wife of Kama performed meditative asceticism for forty days that pleased lord Shiva and he forgives out of compassion and restores the god of love.
This return of god of love Kama is celebrated on the 40th day after Vasant Panchami festival as Holi.In some parts of India, especially in Bengal and Orissa, Holi Purnima is also celebrated as the birthday of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (A.D. 1486-1533). For Sikh community Holi is described as the display of their physical strength and military expertise. The tradition was started by the tenth and last guru of Sikh religion, Guru Gobind Singh ji and is being religiously carried forward. It is celebrated in different manners in some part of the country such as; in the Barsana region of UP which includes Vrindavan, Mathura, Nandgaon and Barsana, the festival (Lathmar Holi) here is celebrated with not just colors, but with lathis.
As per tradition, women chase away the men with lathis. But it's not a beating session - it's a crazy one, and the men come prepared too. In the Kumaon region of Uttrakhand, Holi (Khadi Holi) is usually a musical gathering in different versions known as Baithika Holi, Khadi Holi and Mahila Holi. In Punjab the Nihang Sikhs observe it as Hola Mohalla and exhibit martial arts. Holi known as Phaguwa in the local Bhojpuri dialect in Bihar, in West Bengal Holi is known by the name of "Dol Jatra", "Dol Purnima" or the "Swing Festival". The people of Odisha celebrate "Dola" on the day of Holi where the icons of Jagannath replace the icons of Krishna and Radha. In Assam Holi, also called Phakuwa and locally known as Dol Jatra. Holi is a part of the Goan or Konkani spring festival known as Sigmo in Maharashtra. Holi Purnima is also celebrated as Shimga, festivities that last 5 to 7 days. Holi is locally called Ukkuli in Konkani or Manjal Kuli in Malayalam. It is celebrated around the Konkani temple called Gosripuram Thirumala temple with a unique folk dance called "Bedara Vesha". In Jammu & Kashmir, Holi celebrations are much in line with the general definition of Holi celebrations: a high-spirited festival to mark the beginning of the harvesting of the summer crop, with the throwing of colored water and powder and singing and dancing.
The festival has many purposes; most prominently, it celebrates the beginning of spring. In 17th century literature, it was identified as a festival that celebrated agriculture, commemorated good spring harvests and the fertile land. Hindus believe it is a time of enjoying spring's abundant colors and saying farewell to winter. To many Hindus, Holi festivities mark the beginning of the New Year as well as an occasion to reset and renew ruptured relationships, end conflicts and rid themselves of accumulated emotional impurities from the past.The festival has penetrated in the Bollywood in an enormous way.
We remember when 'Gabbar Singh' in 'Sholay' enquires 'Holi kab hai' to revenge the coming back of his goons empty handed from village Ramgad. How his intentions to teach a lesson to the villagers were averted by using the color powders depicts triumph of good over evil. The Holi has been cherished in many filmy songs and almost every lip murmurs the line "Rang Barse Bhige Chunar wali" of 'Silsila' film. Holi time is to love and forgive. It is the time to expresses the happiness of being loved and to be loved through colors. Holi is the day to express love with colors. It is a time to show affection. All the colors that are on you are of love. It is also sometimes called as the "festival of love" as on this day people get to unite together forgetting all resentments and all types of bad feeling towards each other and this aspect has well been contained in "Holi Ke Din Dil Khil Jaate Hain, Rangon Mein Rang Mil Jaate Hain, Gile Shikawe Bhul Ke Dost Dushman Bhi Gale Mil Jaate Hain" song from 'Sholay' film.
The lines "Aaj na Chhodenge Bas Hamjoli, Khelenge Hum Holi" from "Kati Patang" film of 1971, has become a traditional song of groups on mission to splash colors on woman folk and how it is responded in a melodious way, we come across from the lines of the song from film 'Navrang' 0f 1959, "Aare Ja Re Hat Natkhat, Naa Chhure Mera Ghunghat Palat Ke Dungi Aaj Tujhe Galee Re - Mujhe Samajho Naa Tum Bholee Bhali Re".Concluding the Holi festival mainly carry three aspects such as; Holi is celebrated to mark the triumph of good over evil. It stems from ancient Indian mythology. Holi is marked at the onset of spring and is meant to celebrate harvest or fertility. It celebrates new life as well as energy associated with the season of spring. I think that the real motto of Holi is to give message of equality and uniformity as a social philosophy. This festival spread love, peace and joy among all beyond any perception of religion, caste and region. Celebrate love and compassion: Let the colors of Holi spread the message of peace and happiness.
Holi has been contaminated with some evils by we people. Many people get drunk on this occasion. They indulge in rowdy behavior and indecent acts. We should celebrate Holi in a decent way by avoiding harmful colors. We must realize that it is a festival of joy and friendship. We should share our joy with others. We must not behave badly. The real spirit of the festival should be maintained. Make merry with colors on Holi and the rest of the days with the colors of love. Celebrating the colors of our beautiful relationship, I wish you and your family all the bright hues of life. Have a colorful Holi.(KNO)