Talk of Holi and the first picture that comes to our mind is playing with colors. Holi is all about making natural colors and playing with natural colors. By making colors from natural materials we get close to nature. When we play with colors we drop our ego, anger, jealousy and become pure. We are so immersed in the play that we forget everything – this is the state that we try to attain through meditation – a thought free state. Holi is specifically observed during this period because it is the period of numerous skin diseases. The gulal or natural colors that are thrown help in checking the disease carrying pathogens. It also helps in protecting the skin. Holi also teaches us that religion is not all about prayer, and more prayer…it is not all seriousness. There is place for fun and frolic. Holi teaches us that there should be creation, enthusiasm, renewed energy, forgetting the bad past, starting a fresh hope in daily life. Today, March 17, 2014, is Holi festival when people play with colors. Yesterday was Holika Dahan. The play with colors today is known as Dhulandi or Dhuleti or Dhulivandan. Holi festival is largely associated with Lord Krishna and it is said that in his childhood and teenage, Krishna played the festival with Gopas and Gopis in Vrindavan. For many, Holi might have narrowed down to playing with colors but in rural India it is still a harvest festival. Holi is celebrated during the spring season, when all the trees and plants are filled with flowers of various hues. There is a sweet smell everywhere. Nature’s beauty is at its best during this period. And these natural Holi colors give new hope and joy to life. www.hindublog.com
