Holi Greetings, Happy Holi Greetings & E-cards - Holi Festival

Holi is an ancient festival of India and was originally known as 'Holika'. The festivals finds a detailed description in early religious works such as Jaimini's Purvamimamsa-Sutras and Kathaka-Grhya-Sutras. Historians also believe that Holi was celebrated by all Aryans but more so in the Eastern part of India.

It is said that Holi existed several centuries before Christ. However, the meaning of the festival is believed to have changed over the years. Earlier it was a special rite performed by married women for the happiness and well-being of their families and the full moon (Raka) was worshiped.

Calculating the Day of Holi

There are two ways of reckoning a lunar month- 'purnimanta' and 'amanta'. In the former, the first day starts after the full moon; and in the latter, after the new moon. Though the amanta reckoning is more common now, the purnimanta was very much in vogue in the earlier days.

According to this purnimanta reckoning, Phalguna purnima was the last day of the year and the new year heralding the Vasanta-ritu (with spring starting from next day). Thus the full moon festival of Holika gradually became a festival of merrymaking, announcing the commencement of the spring season. This perhaps explains the other names of this festival - Vasanta-Mahotsava and Kama-Mahotsava.

Reference in Ancient Texts and Inscriptions

Besides having a detailed description in the Vedas and Puranas such as Narad Purana and Bhavishya Purana, the festival of Holi finds a mention in Jaimini Mimansa. A stone incription belonging to 300 BC found at Ramgarh in the province of Vindhya has mention of Holikotsav on it. King Harsha, too has mentioned about holikotsav in his work Ratnavali that was written during the 7th century.

The famous Muslim tourist - Ulbaruni too has mentioned about holikotsav in his historical memories. Other Muslim writers of that period have mentioned, that holikotsav were not only celebrated by the Hindus but also by the Muslims.

Reference in Ancient Paintings and Murals

The festival of Holi also finds a reference in the sculptures on walls of old temples. A 16th century panel sculpted in a temple at Hampi, capital of Vijayanagar, shows a joyous scene of Holi. The painting depicts a Prince and his Princess standing amidst maids waiting with syringes or pichkaris to drench the Royal couple in coloured water.

A 16th century Ahmednagar painting is on the theme of Vasanta Ragini - spring song or music. It shows a royal couple sitting on a grand swing, while maidens are playing music and spraying colors with pichkaris.

Holi Greetings

When love is in the air, you know it is time to celebrate Holi. The festival does not recognizes any bars of caste, class or creed. Drenched in colours, everybody comes to resemble each other losing their original self. This is the beauty of this festival. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that this festival treats everybody at par, all differences dissolve in the coloured water that flows in plenty in it.

Holi MilanHoli calls to put an end to any hard feelings that might have cropped up during the year. People apply colour and give each other a friends hug as they greet Holi, the tradition is called, 'Holi Milan'. It is strongly believed that even enemies turn friend on the day of Holi.

[caption id="attachment_1188" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Happy Holi - Happys - Festivals ki Duniya by Team of KJMENIYA[/caption]

Usually, after a heavy and energetic day of colourful Holi people dress themselves in new clothes and visit friends and relatives with a packet of sweets. This exchange of sweets helps to strengthen and bring joy in relationships. A plate or thali is kept ready in houses with tilak and sweets. People apply tilak, offer sweets and hug each other as they meet the traditional holi and give their best wishes for the festival.

Festivals are the time when people want to be in the company of the people who are close to their hearts.Those at a distant and far off places are greeted with the help of cards and more so through telephone. But greet they must.

Special invitations are extended to the new brides for the festive occasion of Holi. This helps to bring warmth in the relationships and gives a comfortable and joyous opportunity for the new bride to mingle with the new people in her in-laws house. Family of the newly wedded daughter is also invited and special Holi meal is prepared for them.

Holi Meets'Holi Greeting Meets' or 'Holi Milan Samaroh' are organised by numerous clubs and social organisations. This helps the society to mix with each other and enjoy the festival for usually, songs, dance, competitions and feasts are organised in such get togethers. These meets have gained so much popularity that they usually go on days after Holi. After all, who likes to get out of the spirit of Holi!!

Baca Juga