Sunday was Holi in South Asia. Holi is an annual and popular Hindu Spring Festival . It takes place over two days in the later part of February or early March. As per the Hindu calendar, it falls on the full moon. It is also called the Festival of Colors.
On the first day, a bonfire is lit at night to signify burning Holika. The burning of Holika is the most common mythological explanation for the celebration of Holi.
The King Hiranyakashipu desired to be seen as a great man. To fulfill his desire he did the required penance and was granted a boon by Brahma. He asked that it not be possible for him to die as a result of a human or animal, that he not die either in his home or outside, that he not die in the day or at night, and that he not die either on land or in the sea or in the air. He was granted his wish and so felt invincible and told his people to worship him as a god. Everyone obeyed with the exception of his son Prahlad. Prahlad refused to see his father as a god and stayed devoted to Vishnu. This made Hiranyakashipu very angry and he made various attempts to have Prahlad killed. These attempts included telling Prahlad to hold a red-hot pole, telling him to jump off a steep cliff and even getting a herd of elephants to walk over Prahlad. Each time Prahlad did as he was told but was saved by his devotion to Vishnu. So Holi is a time to celebrate Prahlad's faith and ability to survive.
On the second day, known as Dhulandi, people go around until afternoon throwing colored powder and water at each other. People invite each other to their houses for feasts and celebrations later in the evening. Rangapanchami occurs a few days later on a Panchami (fifth day of the full moon), marking the end of festivities involving colours.
Our neighbors performing Holika.
Neighbors playing Holi on their roof. 
An entire family covered in Holi colors!!
Aaron & Mickey after going out into the city.
A close up of the color disaster. They've already been hosed down too! Aaron's hands and some spots on his face are still dyed pink....guess it will have to wear off!! 
3 comments :
Wow! Looks super fun. Maybe I need to have my own Holi festival next year.
So how did King Hiranyakashipu die?
Cory, let me know when you want to celebrate Holi and I'll mail the toxic paint to you! : )
I wasn't sure how the King died, so I had to look it up...here's what I found:
One day, Hiranyakashipu called Prahlada to him. “How is it that you escaped each time I tried to kill you?”, he asked.
“Because Vishnu saved me,” replied Prahlada. “Vishnu is everywhere.”
“What do you mean everywhere?”, retorted Hiranyakashipu. He pointed to a crystal pillar inside the palace and asked, “Is Vishnu inside this pillar as well?”
“Yes,” replied Prahlada.
“Very well then. I am going to kick the pillar,” said Hiranyakashipu.
When Hiranyakashipu kicked the pillar, it broke into two. And from inside the pillar, Vishnu emerged in his form of half-man and half-lion. He caught hold of Hiranyakashipu and placed the demon across his thighs. And with his claws, he tore apart the demon’s chest and so killed him. Brahma’s boon had been that Hiranyakashipu would not be killed by man or beast. But then narasimha was neither man nor beast it was half-man and half-beast. The boon had said that the asura would not be killed in the sky, the water or the earth. But Hiranyakashipu was killed on Vishnu’s thighs, which were not the sky, the water or the earth. And finally, the boon had promised that Hiranyakashipu would not be killed by night or day. Since the incident took place in the evening, it was not night or day.
Thanks! I feel complete now. ;-)
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