I’ve never had a chance to time my visits to “homeland” during the time of Holi, so my only real experiences with the festival in the United States have been through an Indian language and culture after-school program that had permission to use a local school campus on weekends. Either way, the playful magic of Holi was present in the rare plumes of colored powder that were strewn over friends and strangers in the parking lot of an eastern Massachusetts public school on a random Sunday in May ( for the purpose of celebrating in hot weather).
Many non-Hindus are tangentially aware of the Holi festival and its famous colorful traditions. Major cities in the United States and around the world host their own dedicated Holi celebration the nearest weekend, and more and more college campuses are including the festival in their annual schedule of activities. Like Diwali and other Hindu festivals, Holi does not have the same date every year according to the Hindu lunar calendar. But what exactly is Holi?
Holi is widely known as the Festival of Color, but also has a reputation as the Festival of Spring and the Festival of Love. The celebration, lasting one night and one day, takes place on a full moon night in the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna, usually aligning between late February and mid-March. On the eve of Holi, people gather around bonfires to perform religious rituals and ignite their internal ailments, referring to the hindu history of demon king Hiranyakashyap and his son Prahlada.
Hiranyakashyap sought immortality and godhood by any means necessary and was threatened by those who would not observe his supremacy. The king was largely successful in this pursuit, but his own son, Prahlada, refused to recognize him as a deity, choosing to focus his devotion on Lord Vishnu (one of the three main gods of Hinduism). Enraged, Hiranyakashyap convinced his sister, Holika, to take his nephew on her lap and sit on a burning pyre. Holika believed that she was invincible after receiving a blessing and that Prahlada would perish, but she was cremated immediately as Vishnu protected Prahlada from harm. Holika’s death signifies the triumph of good over evil.
The story of Radha and Lord Krishna, eternal lovers of mutual infatuation, is believed to be the origin of the colorful daytime element of Holi. There are some variations in the narration, but the premise is that Krishna, known for his blue complexion, was insecure and jealous of Radha’s beautiful fair skin. Heeding his mother’s advice, Krishna applied color to Radha’s face to make her more like himself, and the gesture became part of the festival.
Naturally, the festival is celebrated on a much larger scale in South Asia with regional differences everywhere. The most ubiquitous form of the celebration is when everyone, dressed in light, inexpensive clothing, throws colored powders and pigmented water at each other. Welcoming spring and the harvest season, Holi is inherently playful and joyful as it channels love between Radha and Krishna.
Although the festival is billed as an inclusive party that anyone can join in, it must be said that for centuries members of lower caste groups have been systematically excluded. Some were harassed, assaulted and killed by upper caste members across South Asia during Holi over clashes over the sanctity of upper caste “purity” compromised by the inclusion of lower castes.
It’s also worth noting that despite its reputation for harmony and joy, Holi is frequently used as an excuse for wrongdoing and misbehavior, as it’s generally seen as an ‘all-purpose’ holiday. Go with an open mind, have fun, and as always, watch your steps and don’t go overboard.
