Holi is a famous colorful Hindu festival celebrated in different parts of the world. Festivals are the occasions when we celebrate happiness. People living in India, also known as the land of festivals, celebrate different festivals in the entire year. Indians celebrate all the festivals together, whether it belongs to any religion.
People eagerly wait for every festival, especially for their favorite one. They start preparing a week earlier for the festival. This reflects their love and joy for every festive celebration.
Essay on Is Holi a Harvest or Religious Festival
Short and Long Holi Festival Essay in English
Here, I’m providing a long and short essay on the Holi festival. This essay would be helpful for all the children as well as for the people who are unaware of this festival.
Holi Essay 10 Lines (100 – 150 Words)
1) Holi is celebrated in March or Phalguna according to the Hindu month.
2) Holi is celebrated in different parts of India and Asia.
3) The trend of applying colors originated from the story of Radha Krishna.
4) The advent of spring and end of winter is also associated with this festival.
5) People burn wood and cow dunk the day before Holi.
6) People celebrate Holika Dahan to burn all the evils and sins.
7) Holi festival marks the mythological story of Hiranyakashipu and Prahlad.
8) People experience national holiday on the occasion of Holi.
9) In some parts, people celebrate Rang Panchami, after five days of Holi.
10) Holi marks the ending of fights and a beginning of a fresh relationship.
Also Read: Essay on Why Holika Dahan is Celebrated a Day before Holi
Short Essay on Holi – (200 – 250 Words)
Holi is a festival to spread love with colors. It usually falls on the tentative dates of March. It also symbolizes the end of winter and arrival of spring season. There are number of mythological stories related to this festival.
This festival is celebrated in two parts; Holika Dahan and Dhulivandan. Holika Dahan is organized on the day before Holi. When Holi is near, people start collecting wood. On that day, they burn wood and dunk cake with a dummy of Holika. By doing this, they celebrate good over bad. People enjoy playing with colors on the next day. Due to which this festival is known as “festival of colors”.
In the morning, people play colors with water and in the evening they wear new clothes. People visit each other’s house to meet them and wish them Holi by applying colors. Gulal, abir, pichkari, water balloons, etc are the essential items of Holi. Variety of delicious sweets and drinks are prepared on this special occasion. People dance, sing and enjoy playing loud music. All the streets and people’s faces are turned colorful.
During this special day, there is enormous joy among the people and the enemies are also overcome by happiness. They leave their hatred, discrimination, and their old quarrels behind. They forget their old mistakes and are reunited as friends again.
Long Essay on Holi – (500 – 600 Words)
Introduction
Different festivals have different significance. The way of celebrating every festival is different from each other. One of the famous festivals of Hindus is Holi. This festival of colors falls in the month of March. According to the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated in the month of Phalguna and the celebration begins from Purnima.
During this festival, all the surroundings become colorful. On this day, people greet each other with colors. Women prepare different sweets and men prepare special drinks on this day. They promote unity and love by eating and drinking together.
How is Holi Celebrated?
Different people celebrate Holi in their different ways. This festival is celebrated in two days. Various rituals are associated with the festival of Holi.
The celebration begins at the evening of Purnima or the full moon day. People collect wood and other combustible substances for the bonfire. At the center or in any open space, they burn them by placing a statue of Holika on the top. Women perform puja and pray to god for burning all their sins and sadness.
The next day people greet each other by applying colors on their face. The color which they play is called Gulal or abir. Elder play dry Holi whereas children enjoy playing water mixed with colors. Teenagers throw water balloons at each other. People dance by playing loud music. Everyone enjoys this festival in their own way.
Special sweets are made on the occasion of Holi. Gujiya, malpua, with a variety of namkeens are available on every house on this day. Holi is also famous for special beverages. People wait a year to enjoy this special Thandai, prepared with bhang (marijuana).
Significance of Holi
In India, holi is being celebrated since ancient times. We can find glimpses of Holi in Puranas and Ratnavali. This festival promotes unity, love, and peace. On this day, people visit their friends and relatives to wish them happy Holi. They forget and forgive each other for the old quarrel. This festival symbolizes that good will always dominate evil. If you walk in the path of truth, no one can destroy your faith.
It is believed that Lord Krishna applied color to Radha and their love never ends. The trend of applying color started from there. People apply color to their loved ones to keep their love alive forever.
Holi brings the end of winter season in India. With the happiness of Holi people welcome spring and the harvest season. Love, laugh, meet, forgive, and happiness is the motive of this festival.
Story of Celebrating Holi
Every festival is associated with some mythological stories; Holi is none other than that. People see the festival of Holi as the win of good over bad due to the story of Hiranyakashipu.
Hiranyakashipu was an arrogant and powerful king who considered himself immortal. He wants every people of his kingdom to worship him instead of any God. But, Prahlad (Hiranyakashipu’s son) was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu tried to stop him in every possible way. He also tortured him for worshipping Lord Vishnu. Prahlad opposed his father and continued his deep devotion for God.
Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu was blessed with a boon that she would not be harmed by the fire. Hiranyakashipu ordered his sister to kill his son. Holika took Prahlad on her lap and sat on fire with the intention of killing him. But Prahlad was not affected by the fire; in fact Holika perished. Later lord Vishnu killed Hiranyakashipu by taking “Narasimha” (half man, half lion) avatar.
Due to this famous story, people burn wood and evil a day before Holi. This is known as Holika Dahan.
Conclusion
Holi is the favorite festival of all the children. Their excitement can be clearly seen in their faces. They love playing with pichkari (water guns). Playing with colors that are made up of chemicals have side-effects and can harm your skin. Many organic colors, free from toxins, are available in the market. Enjoy Holi with healthy practices.
I hope the above given essay on Holi will be helpful for you. I request you all to play safe and joyful Holi.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions on Holi
Ans. Holi will be celebrated on 18 March, Friday in 2022.
Ans. Lathmar Holi or “Holi of sticks” is celebrated in Barsana and Nandgaon, a place in Uttar Pradesh. It is celebrated from Holi to Rang Panchami.
Ans. Mathura and Barsana are the two places located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, which is famous for Holi.
Ans. According to Hindu mythology, newly married women are not allowed to watch Holika Dahan as it can create negativity in their life.