Updated: March 19, 2019 2:17:08 pm
Holi 2019: Myths and stories behind the festival of colours
Holi mythological stories: The festival is celebrated with great vigour in the villages around Mathura, the birthplace of Krishna. Holi is also associated with the Divine Dance known as Raaslila staged by Lord Krishna for the benefit of his devout gopis.
By Subhamoy Das
Like most Indian festivals, Holi is inextricably linked to mythical tales featuring warriors, gods, demonesses and asuras. There are at least four legends that are directly associated with the festival of colours: the Holika-Hiranyakashipu-Prahlada episode, Lord Shiva’s killing of Kamadeva, the story of the ogress Dhundhi and Lord Krishna legend. In most of these stories, good defeats the evil forces and Holi is a part of the resulting celebration that follows.
A Wicked Demoness is Burnt Alive
The evolution of the term Holi makes an interesting study in itself. Legend has it that Holi derives its name from Holika, the sister of the mythical megalomaniac king Hiranyakashipu who commanded everyone to worship him. But his little son Prahlada refused to do so as he was a devout follower of Vishnu, the great Preserver of the Universe.
Hiranyakashipu, angered by his son’s defiance, ordered his sister Holika to kill Prahlada and she, possessing the power to walk through fire unharmed, picked up the child and walked into a fire with him. Prahlada, however, chanted the many names of Lord Vishnu and was saved from the fire. Holika perished because she did not know that her powers were only effective if she entered the fire alone.
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