Holi Celebration
Holi is the festival of colours, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fun in India. The festival of Holi falls on the last full moon day of Falgun (somewhere in the month of March). According to Hindu mythology, the celebration of this festival is associated with the legend of Prahalad, devotee of God Vishnu. The proud King Hrinyakashyapu ordered everyone to pray him as their God instead of other Gods and deities. But his son, Prahalad disobeyed him and did not stop praying God Vishnu. King was angry and made a plan to kill him. Holika, sister of king Hrinyakashyapu took Prahlad in her lap and sat in a bonfire as she had a boon that she could not be burnt by fire. Surprisingly, Holika was burnt alive while Prahlad was safe. Therefore, Holika Dahan (killing) is celebrated by lighting up bonfire on the eve of Holi signifying triumph of good over evil.
This festival of colours bridges the social gap among people of all religions. Although the festival is celebrated in different ways in different parts of country, colours, sweets, water balloons and water guns remain the essence of this festival everywhere. People rub colours on each other’s faces, distribute sweets, hug each other and wish “Happy Holi”.
You can also celebrate the festival of Holi with your children at home. Here are few tips for you to make this festival a fun for your children:
- Tell your children about the significance of the festival and narrate the legend associated with it.
- Include them in preparation of special sweets for Holi, i.e. gujia.
- Help them to make greeting cards for Holi for their friends.
- Take them along with you to watch Holika Dahan in your locality on the eve of Holi.
- Ask them to wish “Happy Holi” to their elders and seek their blessings.
- Tell them to wish Holi to their friends & relatives and also distribute sweets to them.
- Inform them about the chemicals used in colours & gulal and their side effects. Create natural colours with them with the help of turmeric, beetroot and henna. On the day of Holi, encourage them to play Holi with plain water and natural colours only.
- Apply cold cream on their body and oil on the hair and scalp, to save their skin from colours.
- Instruct them to close eyes if someone applies gulal on their face or throws coloured water on them, to save their eyes.
- Advise them to wear full sleeves clothes so as to cover maximum parts of the body.
Most importantly, do not forget to monitor your children closely while they are playing Holi so that this Holi is safe and memorable for your children.
