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==The Ritual== | ==The Ritual== | ||
[[File:Holi Bonfire Festival Mundra Gujarat India.jpg|thumb|Holi festival bonfire at [[Mundra]], 2015]] | [[File:Holi Bonfire Festival Mundra Gujarat India.jpg|thumb|right|Holi festival bonfire at [[Mundra]], 2015]] | ||
;Prepare Holika pyre for bonfire | ;Prepare Holika pyre for bonfire | ||
Days before the festival people start gathering wood and combustible materials for the bonfire in parks, community centers, near temples and other open spaces. On top of the pyre is an effigy to signify Holika who tricked Prahalad into the fire. Inside homes, people stock up on color pigments, food, party drinks and festive seasonal foods such as ''[[gujiya]]'', ''[[mathri]]'', ''[[malpua]]s'' and other regional delicacies. | Days before the festival people start gathering wood and combustible materials for the bonfire in parks, community centers, near temples and other open spaces. On top of the pyre is an effigy to signify Holika who tricked Prahalad into the fire. Inside homes, people stock up on color pigments, food, party drinks and festive seasonal foods such as ''[[gujiya]]'', ''[[mathri]]'', ''[[malpua]]s'' and other regional delicacies. | ||
==Holika dahan== | |||
On the eve of Holi, typically at or after sunset, the pyre is lit, signifying Holika Dahan. The ritual symbolises the victory of good over evil. People sing and dance around the fire. People also perform [[parikrama]] of fire. | On the eve of Holi, typically at or after sunset, the pyre is lit, signifying Holika Dahan. The ritual symbolises the victory of good over evil. People sing and dance around the fire. People also perform [[parikrama]] of fire. | ||
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==Reason for Holika dahan== | ==Reason for Holika dahan== | ||
The burning of Holika is the most common historical explanation for the celebration of Holi. In different parts of India varying reasons are given for Holika's death. Among those are: | [[File:Holika.png|thumb|right|A night before Holi, people lit a huge bonfire known as Holika Dahan to remember the burning of the evil demoness Holika, the sister of Demon [[Hiranyakashipu]]]].The burning of Holika is the most common historical explanation for the celebration of Holi. In different parts of India varying reasons are given for Holika's death. Among those are: | ||
*Lord Vishnu stepped in and hence Holika burnt. | *Lord Vishnu stepped in and hence Holika burnt. | ||
*Holika was given the power by the [[Brahma]] on the understanding that it can never be used to bring harm to anyone. | *Holika was given the power by the [[Brahma]] on the understanding that it can never be used to bring harm to anyone. | ||
The Meaning of Holi [http://www.parmarth.com/updates/janfeb2005/holi.html Parmarth] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.is/20120909020825/http://www.parmarth.com/updates/janfeb2005/holi.html |date=2012-09-09 }} Retrieved on 26 October 2007</ref> | The Meaning of Holi [http://www.parmarth.com/updates/janfeb2005/holi.html Parmarth] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.is/20120909020825/http://www.parmarth.com/updates/janfeb2005/holi.html |date=2012-09-09 }} Retrieved on 26 October 2007</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||