Holi 2020: Story Behind The Festival Of Colours

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The festival of colours brings in joy in our homes as many guests come to our houses on this day. It is probably because of the enthusiasm and joy that this festival is one of the most awaited ones. This year, Holi will be observed from 9-10 March 2020.

The stories that revolve around this festival are quite intriguing. There is the story of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, his equally evil sister Holika and how Lord Vishnu saved his ardent devotee from them. Another story is of the Hindu God of Love playing cupid with none other than the most fiercest of Gods, Lord Shiva. You should read them to believe them.

The Story Of Hiranyakashipu, Prahlada And Holika

Hiranyakashipu was an asura king according to the Hindu mythology. He gained indestructible powers after performing penance to Lord Brahma. His only wish was to be worshipped by the people and to instigate revenge against Lord Vishnu for killing his younger brother Hiranyaksha.

Even though the people were scared of Hiranyakashipu and eventually started worshipping him, his own son Prahlada was an avid devotee of Lord Narayana, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu was infuriated. He tried killing Prahlada several times but each time Lord Vishnu saved him.

Hiranyakashipu finally approached his sister Holika who had a boon that she wouldn't get burnt in a fire. Holika tricked Prahlada into sitting on a pyre with her. As the fires raged on, Prahlada understood what was happening and he started chanting Lord Vishnu's name. Holika, unaware that her boon worked only when one person entered the fire, was instantly charred into ashes. Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Narsimha and killed Hiranyakashipu. Holi is said to have got its name after Holika who was killed in the fire. It celebrates the victory of good over evil.

The Story Of Lord Shiva And Kamadeva

Kamadeva or Madan, as he is popularly known, is the Hindu God of Love. The story begins when Lord Shiva is deep in penance after the death of Sati. He is so engrossed that he doesn't notice that Sati was reborn as Parvati and is doing penance to get Lord Shiva as her husband.

So Lord Brahma came up with an idea to send Kamadeva to invoke feelings of passion in Lord Shiva for Parvati. Kamadeva passes by Nandini as a southern breeze and enters Shiva's abode. He shoots five arrows of flowers at Shiva. Shiva is enraged as he was interrupted amidst his penance and he opens his third eye to burn Kamadeva into flames.

It is believed that Lord Shiva burned down Kamadeva on Holi and hence people celebrate Kamadeva's great sacrifice on that day as well.