Holi, also known as the festival of colors, is celebrated all over India and outside India by every religion and generation, no matter if they are Hindu or not, but it is one of the most significant and exciting major Hindu religious celebrations in India. It indicates the arrival of spring or the end of winter and the victory of good over evil, spreads love, and strengthens unity among people.
The festival of colour is celebrated with great enthusiasm for two days; the first day is Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi, and the second or last day is main festival, i.e., Rangoli or Dhuleti or Dhulandi. It is also called Dol Purnima, Ukuli, Manjal Kuli, Yaoshang, Shigmo, and many others, which are named differently by different cultures and regions. By the way, it overall encourages people to come together, celebrating this festival by smearing various types of organic or inorganic colors at each other, performing various types of music and dances, and taking delicious sweets. In this article, we will explore the history, origin, the significance, and how the Holi 2025 celebration in India takes place.
History of Holi
The history of Festival of colors is quite old and its mention is found in the Vedic era. This is a Hindu festival which is a symbol of victory of good over evil and love and unity. There are many folk tales and historical facts behind when and how this started. Let us understand this in detail
Origin
The origin of Holi is very old and it is related to the ancient history and myth of India. The first mention of this celebration is found in Hindu scriptures like Rigveda, Narada Purana, and Bhavishya Purana. This festival is celebrated for almost 4,000 years, which makes it one of the most ancient festivals of India. It was also celebrated during Gupta Empire (4th–6th century AD) and Vijayanagara Empire (14th–17th century AD), in which kings and emperors celebrated Holi in their courts. It was also celebrated with great pomp and show during Mughal period; During the reign of emperors Akbar and Jahangir, it was famous as a big festival. Even during the British rule, the festival of colors maintained its identity and became a symbol of unity and struggle. This festival gives the message of love, friendship and happiness with its colours
Folk stories related to History of Holi
1. Story of Hiranyakashipu, Prahlad and Holika (Victory of Good Over Evil)
The most important story related to Holi is of devotees Prahlad and Holika, which is a symbol of victory of good over evil. According to the story, there was a powerful king named Hiranyakashyapu who considered himself as God. He had banned the worship of Lord Vishnu in his kingdom, but his own son Prahlad was a devotee of Vishnu. Angered by Prahlad’s devotion, Hiranyakashipu made several attempts to kill him, but each time Prahlad was saved by Vishnu’s grace.
Finally, Hiranyakashipu took help of his sister Holika, who had received a boon that fire could not burn her. Holika made a plan to take Prahlad in her god and sit in the fire, but she forgoted in her darkness that this boon would work for her only when she sat alone in the fire. Raja Hiranyakashipu’s sister was burnt to ashes when she sat in the fire and Prahlad was saved safely.
This incident became a symbol of victory of goodness over evil and in its memory the tradition of Holika Dahan started. Even today people burn the evils and welcome goodness in their lives through Holika Dahan. This story teaches us that truth and devotion always win, no matter how harsh the time may be.
When did it start?
- This story is mentioned in Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu Purana, which are 1500-2000 years old.
- This is considered to be the most important historical reason for its.
2.Unheard Legends of Holi: The Untold Story of Hiranyakashipu and Holika
A different story related to the history of Holi is also prevalent in some places which most people do not know. According to this story, during the Aryan invasion of India, they had captured almost all the kingdoms. But the Aryans were not successful in conquering Hindaun of Rajasthan (which is considered to be the ruled area of Hiranyakashipu). According to the story, Hiranyakashipu was a powerful king who had the full support of his subjects. To break their influence, Arya created an imaginary character named “Avatar Vishnu” and propagated a story. In this story it is said that Hiranyakashipu was promised immortality and to save his sister Holika from fire, but this was just a part of a conspiracy
It is said that Arya killed Holika by burning her in fire and after defeating Hiranyakashipu, he promised to make his son Prahlad the king. Then this story was propagated in the history as a “Victory of Good Over Evil” moral story, which people even today consider to be true. Although, this story is not found in any verified historical record, but some people believe that it was a conspiracy which became popular as a famous Holi story.
Note: This story is popular as a folklore for which no historical evidence is available.
3. Krishna and Radha's Holi (Festival of Love & Colors)
Another famous history of Holi is related with Shri Krishna and Radha, which is a symbol of the festival of love and colors. According to the story, Shri Krishna’s color was blue from birth, which became a matter of worry in his mind regarding mother Yashoda. Krishna thought that Radha would not love him after seeing his blue color. Krishna expressed his worry to his mother Yashoda, then mother Yashoda said that you should color Radha with your favorite color. This gave courage to Krishna and he expressed his love by applying color on Radha’s face. Along with Krishna, Radha and the gopis also joined this color game.
After this incident, the tradition of Holi of colors started. Even today in Mathura-Vrindavan this festival of colours of Krishna-Radha is celebrated in a special way, in which people colour each other with gulal and colours. This story tells us that It’s not just a festival but a festival of love, friendship and closeness, in which people forget their complaints and celebrate together with each other.
When did it start?
- This tradition is related to Dwapar Yug (Mahabharata period, 3000-3500 years ago).
- That is why this celebration of Mathura-Vrindavan holds special importance even today.
4. Story of Kamdev and Maha Shivratri
The history of Holi is also related to a famous story of Lord Shiva and Kamdev, which is a symbol of sacrifice, penance and love.
According to the story, when Mata Parvati was doing a lot of penance to get Lord Shiva as her husband, Shiva was in deep Samadhi. Parvati’s penance was not able to affect Shiva, so Devguru Brihaspati asked for help from Kamdev. Kamdev is considered the god of love and lust, who had the power to awaken love in anyone’s heart with his Pushp Bana (love arrows).
Kamdev used his Pushpa arrow to break Shivji’s Samadhi. When Lord Shiv opened his Trinetra (third eye), in anger he burnt Kamdev to ashes with his divine fire. Kamdev’s wife Rati prayed to Shivji and requested him to give life to her husband. Shivji was pleased with Rati’s love and penance and gave rebirth to Kamdev. This festival is celebrated in the memory of this incident, which teaches us that true love and penance always succeed. During this celebration, the story of Kamdev and Rati is also remembered, which gives the message of love and union.
When did it start?
This history of Holi is written in Shiva Purana and Skanda Purana, which were written 2000-2500 years ago
Holi 2025 Date & Muhurat
It is celebrated according to Hindu Luni-solar calender on Phalguna Purnima, the full moon day of Phalguna month. In Georgian calender 2025, The main festival i.e. Rangoli falls on Friday, March 14,2025 whereas Holika Dahan taking place on the evening of Thursday, March 13,2025. People starts preparing for Holi weeks in advance by purchasing colors, sweets, and festive items. In order to symbolize the burning of the forces of evil, bonfires are started on Holika Dahan. Rangwali, also known as color-playing Holi, is joyfully celebrated the next day. People smear gulal (colored powder) on each other, spray water, and consume traditional sweets like gujiya, malpua, and thandai.
How Holi is Celebrated in India & Around the World
Holi Celebration in India
In India, This is celebrated in different states in their own special way. Different colors and customs can be seen in this festival for every state.
a) Lathmar Holi (Barsana & Nandgaon, Uttar Pradesh)
It is celebrated with great pomp in Barsana and Nandgaon of Uttar Pradesh. In this festival, women perform the dance of chasing men by hitting them with sticks (dandi), while men protect themselves with dhal (shield). This celebration is connected with the love of Shri Krishna and Radha, in which the women of Barsana shower lathis on the men of Nandgaon, the village of Krishna. This festival is specially famous for its unique style and fun-loving customs.
b) Phoolon Ki Holi (Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh)
Vrindavan’s Phoolon Ki Holi is a festival which full of peace and love. In this people shower flowers of different colors on each other. This celebration is celebrated in Banke Bihari Mandir, in which the whole temple is decorated with colorful flowers and people enjoy its by being immersed in Krishna devotion.
c) Holi in Mathura & Vrindavan
Holi of Mathura and Vrindavan is specially famous for its grand festival. This celebrations continue for many days in Mathura, the birthplace of Krishna and Vrindavan, the birthplace of Krishna. In this, people colour each other with colours and sing bhajans. The festival of Mathura-Vrindavan is famous in the country and abroad for its joyous and devotional Holi.
d) Shantiniketan Basanta Utsav (West Bengal)
Basanta Utsav celebrated in Santiniketan is a different form of Holi, which was started by the famous poet Rabindranath Tagore. In this celebration, students and people wear yellow coloured clothes and enjoy its with flowers, gulal and songs. The festival of colour is a symbol of peace and cultural colours which people in West Bengal celebrate with great love and enthusiasm.
e) Royal Holi in Rajasthan
Royal Holi of Rajasthan is celebrated in the royal style of royals. In Jaipur and Udaipur, this special festival is celebrated in the royal palaces in which Shahi Sawari, Ragini music and fire dance are also performed. This celebration is famous for its royalty and grand celebration, in which princes and queens also participate.
f) Holi in Punjab (Hola Mohalla)
A special form of this, is seen in Punjab by the name of Hola Mohalla, which is a major festival of the Sikh community. On this day Sikh people display their martial arts, horse riding and Gatka. Langar is worn in the Gurudwaras here and people enjoy it with each other. Along with this festival, a unique display of veer ras (heroism) takes place in Hola Mohalla, which gives it a distinct identity.
All these reflect the vibrant and cultural colors of India in the form of Rangoli,Dhulendi or Dhol Purnima, in which people enjoy love, devotion and enthusiasm.
Celebration Around the World
This is not just limited to India, but is also celebrated with great enthusiasm in countries like Nepal, Mauritius, Trinidad and Tobago, Fiji, Guyana, South Africa, United States, and United Kingdom. Abroad, This is mostly celebrated by Indian communities, where people enjoy this festival with colors, gulal and music.