*~ The Plethora Of Colors & Goodness || Happy Holi! ~*

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MJ1009cc

@MJ_1009

Achiever

+ 7

Posted: 8 years ago

As enthusiasts wake up to screaming "Holi Hai!" and smearing themselves with various colors, let us forget our woes and establish c o l o r f u l r e l a t i o n s h i p s with one another! We, The Crazy Creatives, would like to wish everyone, "Happy Holi!"

Popularly known as the "Festival of Colors," Holi (also referred to as Holika or Phagwa) commences the arrival of spring, celebrates certain incidents in Hindu tradition, and removes social barriers between everyone. This festival occurs post full moon in March, which is considered the month of Phalguna in Hinduism.

R a n g L a g a o, S a n g A j a o!

Typically lasting for two days (although it may depend on location), there are important aspects occurring on this festival. Irrespective of the social, financial, or religious position, friends and foes unite together and establish kinship with one another. After all, Bura Na Maano, Holi Hai!

A bonfire ritual is conducted on the eve of the first day, signifying Holika. Men look for wood sticks and organize the bonfire between 10 PM to 12 AM. Neighbors gather around together and the air screams various curses and chaos.

Holi is also known as "Dolayatra" or (Swing Festival) in Bengal and Odisha. Devotees place the deities in a swing in aesthetically designed places. The men throw colors at women, who are dancing and enjoying the festival.

S p l a s h y S a g a s o f H o l i

Numerous folklores are associated with the colorful festivity, alongside their symbolism. Here are some important legends and their essential morals, pertaining to Holi:

The Legend of Prahlad

A popular legend talks about how Prahlad (also called Radhu) continued to venerate Lord Vishnu, despite his father's (King Hiranyakashipu) disapproval. Annoyed by his son's devotion, the King ordered Prahlad to be seated on a bonfire along with his devious aunt, Holika, who was said to be resistant to fire. Prahlad obeyed and chanted Lord Vishnu's name, leading to the ashes of Holika only. Some instances also explore about Prahlad telling Holika about her importance during Holi before her death.

Lord Shiva and Madana

Known for remaining stoic, Lord Shiva performs meditations without any interruptions. Madana, the Lord of Love, attempted to break this practice by appearing as a enchanting nymph but it was a failure as Lord Shiva sensed this act and burned Madana with his third eye. This is sometimes interconnected with the bonfire ritual during Holi.

Lord Krishna's Rangeen Rasleela

Everyone's favorite deity, Lord Krishna, is well-known for his naughty antics. Once upon a time, Lord Krishna asked his mother, Yashoda, about the difference of skin complexion between him and Radha. His mother teased him to smear Radha's face with colors for his answer. Due to this, Holi is celebrated for more than two days in Vrindavan and Mathura. Devotees of Lord Krishna tend to engage in playful acts during this colorful celebration as this is synonymous to Krishna playfully teasing the Gopis (female relatives of shepherds).

Edited by _Meena_ - 8 years ago

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Mahi

@Mannmohanaa

Trailblazer

+ 3

Posted: 8 years ago

Holi is one such festival that associates itself withvibrancy and hues. The essence of Holi or Dhuletiundoubtedly lies in the spread of colours, joy and exuberance. Apart from being a culturally diverse occasion, it is also perceived as a social event. Every Holi is a witness to a variety ofgatherings and parties through all the stratas of Indian Society.

These parties are highlighted with music, the air is filled with the toxic aroma of 'Gulaal' spreading itself in every possible corner of the venue. The people are unrecognisable in their normal, Page 3 minus avatars. Somewhere in a corner, there's budding romance, in the other is a group of uncles drowning into the flavours of thandai and Bhaang. Much akin to the portrayal of Bollywood and daily soaps, there's actually a lot of dramatic happenings going on. But the group which invariably dominates and pulls off the spotlights from others is the breed of the Chatterflies. Confusing, eh? We aren't talking of some new species of butterfly but our very own,the (in)famous group of tattling aunties. They maybe old, they maybe very old but they are the ultimate batch of honourable judges, giving out their opinions cum verdict on relationships, taunting out on some status issue, cursing out the careless millennials.

Seated in a peculiar corner, from where the entire venue is subtly visible, they'll scan the crowd with merely the corner of their eyes, ignoring the colour splashed bunch dancing right in the middle of the stage. We wonder what merits they'll bring to spying agencies, if hired. They have this inborn capability to recognise anyone in any state of distortion (coloured, we mean). Occasionally, sipping on a juice and rarely munching on snacks (to highlight their diet consciousness), they'll discuss all and sundry.Right from Mr. Sharma's daughter's alleged affairs to the recent divorce in the parivaar, nothing escapes their vision and taunts. They are careful enough to not gossip about their gang members on the frontier, though they'll make sure to cover that up some other time.

They usually do not play Holi, courtesy their offensive makeup (read: indirectly, too much 'gulaal' already applied, eh? ). The world might go topsey turvey but their fragile looks shouldn't. Though there's no denying that they might just take a pinch of skin friendly gulaal and carefully scrub it across their cheeks, before any wild teenager bathes them in hazardous colour. They won't even spare the current scenario, by passingsneer remarks about the arrangement of the event. Comparing people is a routine, a rather compulsory one. Marriage is a favourite topic to discuss. With the hitching season in full swing, there's always something masaledaar to talk on, whether it's Mrs. Chopra's son's low key engagement or Mrs. Chauhan's Anniversary party that extravagantly went overboard all spending limits or how much 'rang' is applied on the bride's face. Show off, you know. They always carry this rate card with them. They're a perfectcritique to all events with no conditions apply.

With absolutely no regard for their ages, they won't even shy away from drooling over some new man who's albeit very charming and handsome, indulging in playing colours. Some will even afford to go in the mess and get wet in the pichkaaris, only to catch a close glimpse of him. They'll immediately start imagining their daughters, if any, happily settled with this hunk who they've just seen a minute ago, though they'll never allow the same daughters to party away with a hottie unknown to them. Irony, Hypocrisy and random satire is a part and parcel of their double standards.

The long and the short is, these Aunties provide afull package of entertainment, notwithstanding their barbs. No event, specially an effervescent one like Holi, is complete without these Bollywood style kitty partiers. Try as you may, you can never get rid of these gossip mongers.Afterall, what is life without a bit of mirch masala and a daily dose of skinder?

Edited by .-Amethyst-. - 8 years ago