 Holi, Festival of Colours, by Poras Chaudhary Holi 2011:
India's Spring Festival of Colours
Holi is a riotously beautiful annual festival celebrated in India and in Indian communities across the world on the day after the Full Moon in the lunar month of Phalguna (february/march). It celebrates the coming of spring, and although it also contains mythological elements, Holi is probably the least religious of Hindu holidays. It is definitely a wild party time, when the people light bonfires, throw coloured powder and coloured water over each other and generally have a fabulous time!
"The most chromatic, singularly beautiful religious celebration in the world must be Holi, the Festival of Colours. In early March, India and other countries with big Hindu populations usher in spring and represent the triumph of good over evil with what basically amounts to a national multi-coloured water fight in the street. People head out of their houses and cover each other in coloured paints, powders, waters, and dyes. It’s the literal, visual interpretation of the colourful re-birth of spring come to life on people’s bodies." These are Jeremy Elder's words, but they really do get the spirit of Holi. Like Easter, Holi is a moveable feast based on the lunar calendar and the date of the Full Moon (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Phalguna (february/march). It begins with the eight-day preliminary Holashtak festivities, between March 12 and March 19 in 2011, ending with a massive bonfire on night Holika Dahan (a sort of Holi Eve). Holi itself is celebrated on Saturday March 19, followed by Dulhendi on Sunday March 20. People believe they can fulfill their wishes via some easy remedies and reciting certain mantras on the auspicious occasion of this festival.
 Holi, Festival of Colours In earlier times the colours and dyes of Holi were all naturally-based ayurvedic herbal remedies, which were used not just to celebrate sping, but to cleanse the spirit and improve the health. Nowadays the people have largely turned to artificial chemical colours. According to some authorities, these are having a problematic effect on the health of the celebrants, but this is denied by others. I have set some links up here to our sister site Truthstar.com, which focuses on Indian culture (which is all astrologically based). Check it out!
 Holashtak 2011: 13 - 19 March 2011
Holashtak, an eight-day phase of ritual cleansing, begins from the Ashtami, or the eighth day of the Shukla Paksha (or waxing phase of the Moon), in the month of Phalgun, ending at the Purnima, or Full Moon. It is considered an inauspicious period, when no major rituals, such as marriage, housewarming etc., should be undertaken. For many communities, Holashtak begins with the decoration of a tree branch with coloured pieces of cloth. Everyone ties a piece and finally the branch is buried underground, announcing the arrival of Holi. This year Holashtak is from 13th March to 19th March.
Festival of Holi and Holi in India
This year Holi is celebrated on Saturday, 19 March 2011, with Dulhendi on Sunday, 20 March 2011. Find out why Holi is celebrated, and how Holi is enjoyed in different parts of India.
Preparation and Procedure to Perform Holika Dahan
Holika Dahan or the lighting of the bonfire takes place on the eve of Holi. The day is also popularly called Chhoti Holi or the 'Little Holi'. The main event, the fun with the colour, takes place on the next Big Day. This year Holika Dahan is on the 19th March, 2011. Holika Dahan's auspicious Mahurat is from 18:43hrs to 21:30hrs IST. Holika Dahan happens in the evening (in the absence of Bhadra Ascendant). If Holika Dahan is done under a Bhadra Ascendant, it is believed that there is a chance of problems in the nation and that the city will become disturbed.
Remedies to fulfil your wishes on this Holi
Holi is celebrated on the Full Moon day (Poornima) of Phalguna. It is believed that you can fulfil your wishes by performing some easy remedies and reciting certain mantras on the auspicious occasion of this festival. You can get benefit by doing any one of these following remedies according to your wishes.
Dhulendi 2011 (Holi of Colours)
Dhulendi, the main day of the Holi Festival, will be celebrated on Sunday, 20th March, 2011. This festival has a great deal of importance in the Hindu religion, mostly for people who are wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord Krishna. This festival seen as the triumph of Good over Evil.
Send Holi Greetings to Loved Ones
Wish all your friends a happy and prosperous Holi in 2011, with a personalized e-card. Click on an image to select the card, then enter your friend's name and email address, plus a few words from you. It's easy!
Why not send an E-Card for Holi from our sister-site, TruthStar.com! Click Here.
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