Overview/History

Indian festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm. Each festival is known for its well-fabricated mythology. Similarly, the story behind Holi is steeped in history. The legend of Prahlada, Hiranyakashipu and Holika are one of the most popular myths associated with the festival of colours. It is believed that Hiranyakashipu, the demon king, was granted a boon due to which it became impossible for anyone to defeat him. This made him haughty, so he started questioning the authority of the Almighty. Prahlada, son of Hiranyakashipu who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu, was chosen by Lord to put an end to the atrocities of his father. When the knowledge of it reached the ears of Hiranyakashipu, he devised several strategies to kill his own son. When nothing worked, he made Prahlada sit on the lap of his sister Holika who entered fire with Prahlada in her lap as she could not be burnt as per a boon granted to her. But instead of Prahlada, it was Holika who was burnt to ashes and Prahlada remained completely unharmed. The festival is celebrated to mark the victory of good over evil and burning of Holika. The other popular legends associated with the festival are the legend of Kamdeva and the legend of Krishna and Radha.