Holi Festival – Science And Story Behind
Holi is a unique festival of colors celebrated by Hindus people all over Nepal and India, which is celebrated on the full-moon day in the month of Phalgun (March). People sing and dance. This festival is also a way to exchange harmony and happiness with each other.
There are many stories throughout Nepal and that are associated with the Holi festival. Every state has a different story to tell. In some regions, this festival is associated with Lord Krishna playing color with Radha and Gopis. But the most famous story behind this festival is that of Prahlad and King Hiranyakashyap. Hiranyakshyap was a demon king who believed that he was all-powerful. He ordered in his kingdom that people should stop praying to god and pray to him instead.
But his own son Prahlad, who is was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, refused to do so. An angry Hiranayakashyap plots to kill his own son with the help of his sister Holika. Hiranayakashyap asks his sister to sit by the fire taking Prahlad on her lap. Holika had a boon that she will remain unharmed by the fire. But the reverse happens. Holika gets burnt and Prahlad remains safe. Thus, a bonfire by the name of ‘Holika Dahan’ is organized a day of Holi. This ritual symbolizes the victory of love and devotion over evil.
This festival has also a great scientific significance behind it. Holi is celebrated at a time of the year when the winter season is coming to an end and the summer season is about to commence. The temperature all around is moderate. This gives a rise to a number of harmful bacterias in the atmosphere and also in the body.
The ritual of burning the bonfire and going around it helps in killing these bacteria. Besides, the colors, also have their own impact on the body. Biologists believe that rubbing colors on the body is a way of treating the body by color therapy. It is said that the colors enter the pores and strengthens the ions in the body. This gives a beautiful glow to the skin.
Play a safe Holi by using homemade natural colors.