Winter chills are finally losing their grip, and the days are getting warmer. Nature has turned the sky into a fiery orange. The flowers of Palash have swamped the Indian landscape, and you can practically feel these changes with the distant thumping sound of drums and the aromatic flavor of gujiya in the air. It’s spring! And with spring comes Holi, bringing love, laughter, and an age-old legacy of celebration.
Holi is surrounded by layers of stories and a mosaic of traditions that are still in practice. Almost all the popular stories are related to Vishnu and his avatars. As Narsimha, he saved his devotee, Prahlada. When he took the avatar as Krishna, Holi became a playful occasion of celebrating love. In Bengal and Assam, Holi is also associated with the birthday of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, an ardent devotee of Vishnu. In Orissa, Holi marks the event of Dola Yatra. However, very few remember it as a festival of Kamadeva and its association with Shiva and Parvati.
Let's uncover and find out some of the forgotten stories associated with Holi. After all, that's what Varaha Heritage aims for.
Why Do We Celebrate Holi?
Because it symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. God saved his devotee, Prahlada. Holika, who was personified evil, died in the pyre while attempting to kill her nephew. My answer would be the same if I were you. And it’s correct too. However, it’s just one color of Holi. We are missing a lot if we think this is the only reason behind the celebration of Holi.
Holi is not just limited to one-day celebration. Ancient Indian literature chronicles the celebration of Holi as Vasantotsava. "Vasant" literally translates as "spring" in English. The celebration began on Vasant Panchami and lasted till Holi. Women used to congregate in parks to embrace trees. They used to sing and dance. And trees would burst into blossoms as a result of their contact and laughter.
Very poetic...right? But that was the belief of our ancestors. If you are aware of Salabhanjika, you must have found similarities. According to popular beliefs, the mere touch of Salabhanjika can cause trees to bloom. She was the symbol of fertility. So is spring and any woman in general.
Holi was the Festival of Madana
Way before we started relating Holi with the love of Krishna and Radha, there were Kamadeva and Rati. Holi was known as the festival of Madana. Kamadeva, also known as Madana, is the god of spring or Cupid, whose arrow can move Shiva too. Holi is a well-known example of what anthropologists have frequently recognized as fertility rites.
In Madhya Pradesh, Holi is a festival of matchmaking and harvest. Celebrated as Bhagoria, particularly among the Bhils. Historically, it was a time when young men would "run away" with their partners to seek tribal recognition of their marriage.
In South India, especially, Holi is celebrated as Kamamahotsav. When Lord Shiva went into a state of deep meditation after the demise of Sati, the gods requested Kamadeva to shoot Shiva with an arrow of desire. Because of this, Shiva was so disturbed that he opened his third eye and burned Kamadeva to ashes. However, at the behest of Rati, he made him a formless spirit.
This event is referred to as Kama Dahanam in Tamil Nadu. Offerings are made in remembrance of Kamadeva's sacrifice, and songs are performed that portray Rati's grief.
Journey of Shiva and Parvati Back to the Mountains
The sacrifice of Kamadeva didn’t go in vain. His arrow of desire did its work. It was successful in breaking through the icy shell of Mahadeva, which led to the cosmic union of Shiva and Parvati.
While much of India awaits the day after Holika Dahan to celebrate Holi, certain pockets of the country begin the celebration early. No, it's not just Mathura and adjoining areas. In Varanasi, people burst into the mood of Holi celebration five days before the actual day. It begins with Rangbhari Ekadashi.
It is the moment when Lord Shiva has taken his departure from the ghats of Kashi with his bride, Parvati, and headed to her Himalayan house. It’s a new beginning for Mahadeva himself. His life as a householder. People of Varanasi become part of this journey and bid their adieu to the newlywed couple by pouring gulal and turning the streets of the city into pious red, rejoicing in a union that restores harmony to the world.
Musical Holi of Kumaon
On their way to Kailash, Shiva and Parvati were welcomed by the mountains. On the same day, somewhere deep in the Kumaon area of Uttarakhand, the old Someshwara Temple is the center of a very touching ceremony: Maiti Dhayini. Parvati, also known as Gauri, was the daughter of the mountains. It’s her home. The celebration is dedicated to her.
"Maiti Dhayini" literally translates to "The Return of the Married Daughter to her Paternal Home." The Dhayinis (married daughters) of the Kumaon valleys, just like Parvati, go back to their Mait (birthplace). The entire mountain echoes with songs to mark this event. Holi is a celebration of returning to roots, a new beginning, and starting a new chapter. Color is just one aspect; it’s about nature and art. People enjoy it by singing and dancing.
Holi is Our Heritage
Every practice, story, food, and way we celebrate Holi makes it more unique. It defines our identity and connects us to our roots. Varaha Heritage aims for the same. We wish to make heritage a core part of your life, a part of your daily conversation. This Holi, reconnect with your roots; bring a museum-grade replica of Shiva-Parvati to your home and feel the divine journey. Give unique and meaningful heritage artifacts to your loved ones. This won't be any regular statue of Shiva and Parvati but a scaled replica of the original museum artifact, bringing centuries-old stories to you.
Varaha Heritage wishes a very happy Holi to you and your family. Celebrate your culture and appreciate your heritage!!!