Holi, the festival of colours, is celebrated by Hindu community across the world. One of the biggest Hindu festivals, Holi falls in the Hindu calendar month of Phalgun, marking the arrival of the vibrant spring. It is observed in the month of March or April. This year, it falls on Friday, March 14, 2025. It's also a symbolic celebration of the victory of good over evil. Many legends are associated with the festival, such as the tale of Prahlad, Hiranyakashipu, and Holika. On this day, people soak in the myriad colours of Holi, sprinkle gulal, and play with pichkari and water balloons, forgetting their worries for some time.
On the eve of Holi, people enthusiastically participate in Holika Dahan, a ritual symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. According to legend, Hiranyakashipu was granted a boon by Lord Brahma that he could not be killed by any man, animal, or weapon, making him invincible. Believing himself to be immortal, the mighty king demanded that his son Prahlad worship him. When Prahlad refused, Hiranyakashipu sought the help of his sister Holika, who was immune to fire. She attempted to kill Prahlad by making him sit on her lap while she positioned herself on a pyre. However, Lord Vishnu came to Prahlad's rescue and saved him, while Holika perished in the flames. Since then, the ritual has become an integral part of Holi celebrations.
