Holi
In order to commemorate the victory of good over evil(death of demoness named Holika by Lord Vishnu), the “Festivals of colors” Holi is celebrated in accordance to the Hindu lunar calendar. The beginning of the festival is marked by Holika Dahan on the night of Purnima(full moon).
In West Bengal and Odisha, the festival is celebrated a day earlier as Dol Jatra or Dol Purnima. Holi is celebrated throughout India. People enjoy the festival by throwing colored water at each other, smearing colored powder over each other’s faces dancing under water sprinkles.
A paste made from cannabis plants known as Bhang is traditionally consumed as a part of the celebrations. On Holika Dahan, large bonfires are lit and a special puja(worship ritual) is conducted with singing and dancing of people around the fire and walking around it 3 times. In the Hindu text, the Narada Purana, demoness Holika’s brother Hiranyakashyap(demon king) wanted to burn his son Prahlad who worshipped Lord Vishnu. It was considered that Holika couldn’t be harmed by fire, so she sat in burning fire with Prahlad in her lap. Due to his devotion to Lord Vishnu, Prahlad was protected by Lord Vishnu but Holika was charred to death.
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