Festivals of India - Holi

Wishing you all a very Happy Holi !

Hi! ! It's Holi - one of the biggest Festivals of India. It is the festival of colours which signifies love and fraternity and celebrated all over India and some countries with Hindu community. Besides the colours being special part of Holi, there are a variety of food specialities that are prepared during the festival. "Gujhiya" is one of the most impotant and specific items of Holi prepared from Khoya and dry fruits especially in North India. People love to eat them. Many more special food items are prepared at home to make the festival special. So this is special post - a "Philatelic Gulal" for you !.....Have a Wonderful Splashing Holi !......With all colours of Life !......

Holi - Festival of Colours
Holi (referred to as Phagwa in Bhojpuri), also called the Festival of Colours, is a popular Hindu spring festival observed in India, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad, UK and Nepal. In West Bengal, it is known as Dolyatra (Doljatra) or Boshonto Utsav ("spring festival").

Krishna celebrating Holi with Radha and Gopis

The main day, Holi, also known as Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is celebrated by people throwing coloured powder and coloured water at each other. Bonfires are lit the day before, also known as Holika Dahan (death of Holika) or Chhoti Holi (little Holi). The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad had when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashiyap, carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion. Holika Dahan is referred to as Kama Dahanam in Andhra Pradesh.

Famous Lathmar Holi of Barsana

Holi is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Phalugna or Falguna (Phalgun Purnima), which usually falls in the later part of February or March. This year Holi (Dhulandi) is on 11th March and Holika Dahan is on 10th March. But in Himachal Prdesh it is being celebrated today with great joy and enthusiasm. Rangapanchami occurs a few days later on a Panchami (fifth day of the full moon), marking the end of festivities involving colours.

Phagwah Festival (Holi) - 4 stamps issued by Guyana in 1969