The Festival of Holi – beginning of life a new cycle

The festival of Holi, popularly recognised as the festival of colours is actually celebrated from two to five days depending on regional practices in India. Holi starts on 7th March this year, the full moon day of the Hindu Lunar month of Phalgun.  It welcomes the beginning of spring.  
 
The ceremonies during these five days include the lighting of specially prepared bonfires made up of sugarcane sticks and dry wood, during which all evils are symbolically burnt and chased away. Holy mantras are cited and holy sacrament is offered so as to invite positive exchange of energies. The lighting of the fires helps in decomposing the Raja-Tama or spiritually negative frequencies in the atmosphere. This helps to activate various Deities.
 
This Bliss is celebrated by throwing colours in the air on the fifth day of Holi, known as Rangpanchami. On this day a red fragrant powder (gulal) is released into the air.  This is a celebration we are most familiar with but Holi also commemorates the frolics of youthful Lord Krishna; celebrates the death of demoness Putana, burning of demoness Holika, and destruction of the Deity Kama by the Deity Shiva.
 
The festival Holi signifies a new beginning of the life cycle and it is mainly celebrated at a social level with lots of colourful processions, singing and dancing. It is however important to remember its significance as a worship of Deities through different colours and as a way to gain spiritually positive energy to drive away the negative frequencies. So let us try to celebrate Holi in a spiritually correct way and gain the maximum bliss during this time. To find out more about the celebration of Holi please visit www.forumforhinduawakening.org