Holi is a colorful and joyous festival that welcomes spring and is celebrated by Hindus all over the world. It is about the triumph of good over evil, and there are many stories associated with it. The most popular legend from Hindu mythology that is associated with the festival tells of Vishnu’s triumph over King Hiranyakashyapu, who executed anyone who worshiped other gods or defied him. His son Prahlad worshiped Vishnu instead of the king, so Hiranyakashyapu conspired with his sister Holika to kill Prahlad. Holika lured him into a pyre to burn him, but Vishnu rescued Prahlad and Holika ended up burning. To this day, many Hindu devotees make bonfires in their neighborhoods on the eve of Holi to mark this event.
Also known as the Festival of Colors, Holi is celebrated over two days with people throwing colorful powder and colored water in the streets. A day of connection and coming together, it entails a lot of music, dancing, singing, smearing and throwing paint, and water guns. The Office of Spiritual and Religious Life wishes all who are celebrating a joyous and colorful Holi!
Sources:
Debebe, Selenat. “Holi 2022: When is it celebrated and what is the festivity about?” Al Jazeera. March 16, 2022.
“Resilience: Multifaith Calendar 2022.” Multifaith Action Society. 2022.
