Holi in India in 2022

Holi is an ancient Hindu festival which is celebrated in almost all the parts of India. It is also called Rangwali Holi, Dhuleti, Dhulandi and Phagwah. It is a festival of colors. On this day, people come together to celebrate holi with one another forgetting all their resentments. It starts from the evening of Purnima in the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna and ends on the following day. On the evening of Purnima, holikadahan is performed and this day is also called as Chhoti Holi. The next day, when colors are played, is called Holi.

Holikadahan is performed by the people who gather and perform religious rituals in front of the bonfire. Holika was the sister of the demon king Hiranyakashipu. Hiranyakashipu was disappointed with his son Prahlad for being him a great devotee of Lord Narayan instead of Hiranyakashipu. Holika was commanded by Hiranyakashipu to enter in the fire with Prahlad. Even though she had a boon that she could not get damaged by the fire at all, she was killed whereas Prahlad was saved by Lord Narayan. Hence this festival is celebrated as a victory of good over bad.