The festival of colours is celebrated on an annual basis primarily in India and in some other parts of the world. The date of the day changes every year and is determined by the Hindu calendar; this year, Holi will be celebrated on March 18, 2022. Holi is considered an auspicious festival in Hinduism and is known as the Festival of Colors, Love, and Spring. It is the day when people all over India smear each other with colours to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Holi also marks the end of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, signalling the arrival of spring.
💡Did you know that Holi in Mathura, the land where Lord Krishna spent his childhood, marks the best and greatest Indian celebration of all time.
There is a small tale story believed to be true behind the Holi celebration, as people celebrate Narayana's victory in his Narasimha Avatar over the evil king Hiranyakashipu, which we will discuss in detail in the history section. Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma are three major Hindu deities who are known as the Preserver, Destroyer, and Creator, respectively. However, the day is celebrated with great joy, with people from all communities, castes, and religions taking part in the historic and memorable celebrations across the country.
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Holi 2022: Date and History
The 2022 celebration of Holi will be held on March 18, 2022.
| Event |
Holi |
| Date |
18 March 2022 |
| Day |
Friday |
| Country |
India |
Details and celebration of Holi are described in Hindu religious texts such as Purana, Dasakumara Chaitra, and poems of Kalidas, where they narrated the story about Holi and avatars of Lord Vishnu, there are different origins of story followed in different region, but the most common story can be found in Bhagavata Purana is of Prahalad, the son of evil king Hiranyakashipu.
According to the story, the demon king Hiranyakashipu grants Lord Brahma's wish that he cannot be killed by any human or animal, neither inside nor outside, neither during the day nor at night. The wish made Hiranyakashipu more arrogant and selfish because no one could kill him, and he claimed himself as god and forced people to speak in his praise and worship him as a god.
However, Hiranyakashipu's own son Prahlada was a devotee of Lord Vishnu, which turned him against his own son. As a result, Hiranyakashipu began to punish his son, employing a variety of methods. Prahalad was thrown from a height, attacked by soldiers, trampled by elephants, bitten by snakes, and many other things, but none of them could harm him. Finally, Hiranyakashipu asked his sister Holika, who had the ability to stand in fire without being burned, to murder Prahalad. She drew him onto her lap and sat in the middle of a bonfire, Prahalad began praying to Vishnu, while Holika began to burn and died.
To end the evil Lord Vishnu appears in his Narshimha Avatar, which was half human and half Lion, neither human nor animal, and dragged Hiranyakashipu to the threshold where it was neither inside nor outside and put him on his thighs and tore his belly with his terrifying nails during the evening time because it was neither day nor night. Later, Lord Narasimha elevated Prahlad to the throne and instructed him to always walk in the path of righteousness.
As a result, the concept of Holi arose and has been practiced for centuries to commemorate the triumph of good over evil.
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Holi 2022: Significance and Celebration
There are hundreds of festivals celebrated in India, but one thing that all major festivals, such as Diwali, Dussehra, and Holi, have in common is that they celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Thus, our culture has always instructed people to follow the good path and avoid violence and the path of arrogance because violence can lead to your own destruction; thus, the celebration of this festival plays an important role in instructing people to follow the good path and promoting culture throughout the country.
The celebration of Holi begins one day before the actual date, when children and adults from the society or village gather combustible materials and prepare a bonfire near the temple or ground, which is then burned at night to depict the same scenes of Holika and Prahalad, and roast and eat green chickpeas in the fire. In many parts of India, the celebration for the day begins even before a week to commemorate the great Holi festival.
💡Did you know that in the region of Barsana and Nandgaon, a type of Holi known as Lathmar Holi, or the Holi of sticks, is celebrated where females hit males with sticks.
People wake up early in the morning to prepare for the war of colours, which takes place mostly in the country's northern and western regions. Children, adults, and young people gather in groups armed with water balloons, water guns, and dry colour to smear each other with colour, which is why Holi is known as the festival of colours. Also, groups of ladies and women form groups and dance and sing while having a great time. Where many Indian states officially organise large-scale programmes in which millions of people participate. Because India is such a diverse country, the rituals for celebrating the day may differ from region to region. However, the majority of people celebrate the day by participating in all of the aforementioned activities and marking the occasion.
Holi 2022: Images and Quotes
A major Holi celebration can also be observed on social media platforms, so we have compiled a list of images, posters, and quotes with wishes to share on social media platforms and commemorate the great occasion.
The various colours represent the various communities that come together to celebrate the festival of colours.
Let us rejoice in the victory of good and take part in the Holi celebrations.
Holi brings happiness and prosperity, and it is enough to brighten anyone's life after a long period of darkness.
Celebrate the Holi with traditional and dry natural colours and avoid the use of water due to present scarcity.
Holi and Diwali are the only festivals that bring a smile to every child's face; children celebrate the day with their entire soul and heart.
Come together to celebrate the colours and experience the utmost joy in your life.
The best way to celebrate Holi is with your family and friends, so don't forget to spend the day with those you care about.
Holi 2022: FAQ
What are the traditional colours used in Holi?
Most people in India use Gulal, which has medicinal properties. Gulal is traditionally made up of turmeric, neem, kumkum, and a variety of other medicinal herbs.
What colours should be used for Holi?
Avoid the use of synthetic colours and instead create or purchase natural and safe colours made using traditional methods.
How to protect eyes from synthetic colors?
Apply oil or lotion around the eyes before going out in public, and if the colour gets into your eyes, avoid rubbing it and ask your friends to be gentle.
How can I easily remove colour stain from my face and body?
Apply a generous amount of coconut oil before leaving the house and before washing your face. To remove the stains, you can also use the traditional multani mitti treatment.
