Monday, March 17, 2014

Holi 2014: How To Make Holi A Blessing?

Holi in 2014 is different from every year, because AstroSage is giving you a unique gift. On Holi in 2014, you can change your life. Pt. Hanumman Mishra is explaining some methods here, that will bring ultimate bliss to your life.



हिन्दी में पढ़ने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें…

HOLI: COLORFUL SPRING


The way Spring, the King of seasons, is considered to be a pleasing amusement, similarly, the festivals celebrated during the season dissolves special pleasure in our lives as well. Most of the festive proceedings take place in the Spring season. Panchtatva or the five elements of the Universe abandon their epidemical behavior to get transformed into mild and lovely forms during the Spring season. This significance bestows Spring with the name ‘King of Seasons’. Panchtatva, betterly known as the five elements- earth, water, fire, sky and air, showcase a tempting show in Spring. In Spring, the sky appears clean, the wind blows mildly, the rays of sun (fire)  are consoling, the water has its own purity and the earth is the summation of all such gorgeous pleasures. It eases us from the chill of the Winter season. This is the time when flock of birds prefer to open up and  fly, while the farmers feel elated at the sight of the outputs of their hard work i.e. fully grown crops. The season does not discriminate in giving pleasures to the poor people. It offers the same to both the rich and the poor. While the rich people are in great appreciation of the freshness of its neo-beauty, the poor feel relieved after been struck by the unbearable cold of the Winter season.

In the same way, the arrival of the Holi Festival during Spring is paid high regards. Holi is one of the major Indian Festivals. Holi brings the festive episode of joy and colors. It is celebrated in the full-moon day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Phalguna. On Purnima or full-moon night, Holi puja is performed followed by the ritual of Holika Dahan- combustion of Holika. On this tithi or lunar day of Purnima, Holi Puja should be performed in Nisha Mukha that surpasses the Bhadra Mukha.

Significance Of Colors


On Phalguna Krishna Pratipada, people get involved in playing with colors and Gulaal (dry extractions from colored pigments). The festival also has its medical importance as the colors used in Holi work as elements of the Color Therapy. On this day, dust sports is also a well known way of celebration in the rural areas. Dust sports is considered to be the symbol of protection against the physical hazards caused due to seasonal changes. The season of Spring lets the people communicate with their happiness, high hopes and enthusiasm that protect them from the side-effects of the new season by relishing a colorful get-together, water, delicacies of food items, music, dance etc. Holi also depicts a unique tradition of composing a mockery. According to Garga Samhita, Lord Krishna was called upon Radha’s insistence to play Holi with her. Lord Krishna thought of a mockery and went to Radha in the disguised appearance of a woman. Knowing about this, Radha playfully beat the lord with Koda or stick. It is believed that this incident led to the emergence of Lath-Maar Holi - beating with sticks. Now, when we are over with the traditional aspects of Holi, let’s discuss how we should celebrate Holi.

What Should We Do In Holi?


The first and the foremost thing, be present during the combustion of Holika or Holika Dahan. If your absence in Holika Dahan has a reason behind it, you should reach the place of combustion at the dawn of the next morning and circle the spot thrice. On the eve of Holi festival, grain earrings should be offered. It is believed to be an auspicious ritual if a raw thread measuring the heights of all the members in a family from their feet fingers to their hands put up above their heads, is offered in the Holi. The ashes of the Holi is brought up to homes. The ashes should be applied to the foreheads of men and necks of women which is meant to bring prosperity along their lives.

Next day brings the commencement of the playful period of Holi. It begins early morning with  offering of colors to the Lord. Colors should dominate the day as colors are meant to drive away dystopia and life becomes a palette of happiness. If you do not want to go out of your homes on Holi, it’s okay. Since, the motive of Holi is to fill your life with pleasures and amusement, it does not matter where you play. On Holi, you should not persist feelings of enmity within you, this will be considered as your victory over your enemies. Welcome your guests with fennel and sugar that are regarded as the gestures of brotherhood and love.

    Read the detailed article of Holi here - Holi 2014

We hope by following these conventional approaches, you will be able to add more holiness to the festival of Holi. Astrosage wishes you all a “ Happy Holi 2014”.


By Pt. Hanumman Mishra

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