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Holi is one of the most colorful and vibrant festivals celebrated in India.
Like many other festivals, Holi has an ancient origin, the tradition of which is
being followed since time immemorial. Considering the religious importance of
the festival, it is associated with a number of mythological stories. The most
popular amongst them is that of Radha and Lord Krishna, wherein, he playfully
applied color on Radha's cheek, as she was fairer than him. This gave rise to
the festival of Holi and the tradition of playing with colors. The significance
of the festival has not diminished since then and even applies to the cultural,
social and biological aspects of our lives. Know more about the signficance of
Holi festival, with this article.
Importance Of Holi Festival
Cultural Significance
The cultural significance of Holi can be gauged from the fact that its origin
derives reference from various mythological tales. This has led to a deep faith
and respect towards the celebration of the festival, as Indians strongly believe
in mythology. The moral behind all these stories is victory of good over evil,
which is a lesson for the human race. The tales instill the faith of man into
the ultimate power of God and his mercy over his devotees. Holi festival is the
medium through which people are inspired to lead a virtuous life. Moreover, the
festival is organized at the time when the harvest is at full bloom, giving
people an opportunity to rejoice.
Social Significance
The social significance of Holi is seen in the form of the message of unity and
brotherhood, it delivers. As per the custom and tradition, people pay visits to
their friends and relatives, to give them wishes as well as to strengthen their
bonds. The festival brings the nation together, as it is not just celebrated by
Hindus but, also by the Sikhs, Christians, Jains as well. The festival is
unique, as it does not discriminate against any section of the society and
treats everyone equally. The social fabric and secular character of the society
is strengthened, since people work on building cordial relations, forgiving
their hard feelings for others.
Biological Significance
Apart from the cultural and social significance of the festival, Holi
considerably affects the biological system of our body. The time, at which Holi
is celebrated, is very crucial with respect to our body. During the festival,
the season is going through a change - from winter to summer. It is the period
when people feel lethargic and drowsy. Holi provides them the opportunity to
wear off their laziness, by enjoying themselves thoroughly.
The dance performances and the music played during the festival rejuvenate the
mind and soul. The color, especially Abeer, penetrates the body and strengthens
the ions, improving health and beauty. During the tradition of Holika Dahan,
people circumambulate around it the fire. This ritual kills the bacteria in the
body and makes it clean. During Holi, people clean their houses and remove
clutter, thereby ensuring flow of positive energy. Therefore, it can be said
that apart from rejuvenating the social ties, Holi provides a wonderful
opportunity to let loose all the tension and de-stress the mind. |