Holi
holi the festival of colours
holi the festival of colours
When is Holi?
Holi marks the end of winter and the coming of spring. In India it can last for a week or more, but outside India the celebrations may only last a day or two. Holi begins on the full moon night of the month of phalguna (March or early April).
Giving Thanks
Holi is just before harvest and gives Hindus a chance to thank the gods for the harvest to come.
Flames and fire
Fire and light are important to Hindus as they believe that it has the power to purify and cleanse. They worship the god of fire, Agni. At holi farmers use it to renew the land so that crops can grow afresh. Therefore during Holi, Hindus feel a close link with the earth and celebrate the new season with bonfires and prayers.
Stories told at Holi
Many stories are told at holi. Sometimes they are acted out for people to watch but whatever the story; the message is always that good triumph over evil.
The First day of Holi
On the day of holi many people fast throughout the day. Many people will visit the temple in the morning. They will play tricks on each other, it is like our April fools day!
On the night of the full moon everyone gathers round a huge bonfire. In the week before the whole community gathers together to create a large heap of anything burnable to create a bonfire.
As the sun sets the priest says a prayer before lighting the fire. As the fire burns, everyone plays drums, horns and sings.
Hindus also cook coconuts as a symbol of new life. They throw the coconuts into the fire and when the outer shell is charred, they are ready to eat. The white nut on the inside is called Prashad, food blessed by god.
People dig a hole outside their house and bury wheat in a clay pot. The holi is covered with earth and the holi fire is built on top. When the fire dies out, the pot is polled out. The next day, everyone shares a meal of the cooked wheat Colour
holi the festival of colours
When is Holi?
Holi marks the end of winter and the coming of spring. In India it can last for a week or more, but outside India the celebrations may only last a day or two. Holi begins on the full moon night of the month of phalguna (March or early April).
Giving Thanks
Holi is just before harvest and gives Hindus a chance to thank the gods for the harvest to come.
Flames and fire
Fire and light are important to Hindus as they believe that it has the power to purify and cleanse. They worship the god of fire, Agni. At holi farmers use it to renew the land so that crops can grow afresh. Therefore during Holi, Hindus feel a close link with the earth and celebrate the new season with bonfires and prayers.
Stories told at Holi
Many stories are told at holi. Sometimes they are acted out for people to watch but whatever the story; the message is always that good triumph over evil.
The First day of Holi
On the day of holi many people fast throughout the day. Many people will visit the temple in the morning. They will play tricks on each other, it is like our April fools day!
On the night of the full moon everyone gathers round a huge bonfire. In the week before the whole community gathers together to create a large heap of anything burnable to create a bonfire.
As the sun sets the priest says a prayer before lighting the fire. As the fire burns, everyone plays drums, horns and sings.
Hindus also cook coconuts as a symbol of new life. They throw the coconuts into the fire and when the outer shell is charred, they are ready to eat. The white nut on the inside is called Prashad, food blessed by god.
People dig a hole outside their house and bury wheat in a clay pot. The holi is covered with earth and the holi fire is built on top. When the fire dies out, the pot is polled out. The next day, everyone shares a meal of the cooked wheat Colour