Tomorrow is 'Dol' in Bengal, 'Holi' in northern India, 'Madan-Dahan'
or 'Kamayan' in south India, 'Hori' in central India, 'Shimaga' in
Goa-Kankan' area and 'Dolotsav' in Odhisa. But, the characteristic of
this festival of colour is the same everywhere. On the eve of this
festival, the kush-putul use to burn - this event is called Holika
Dahan according to Puranas. The tyrant demon Hiranyakashipu wanted to
burn his son Prahlad, who was the worshiper of his enemy lord Vishnu.
So, the king called his sister Holika to burn Prahlad. She entered
into the fire with Prahlad, but lord Vishnu saved his admirer Prahlad
and Holika died in fire. Hence, the people of the state played Holi
the next day happily. Since then, the social festival of Dol or Holi
is being observed across the country. Holika Dahan in Bengal is called
'Nera Pora' or 'burir ghar porano '. The room of Holika is being made
on this day in Bengal with paper, hay, dorma and khejur pata (date
tree's leaves). On this evening, after the rituals, the room is being
ignited and by this way they are burnt and all the people shout, "Aaj
amader nera pora Kaal amader Dol..." Moreover, it is the festival of
spring, it is the festival of each & every family.
--
A. B.
or 'Kamayan' in south India, 'Hori' in central India, 'Shimaga' in
Goa-Kankan' area and 'Dolotsav' in Odhisa. But, the characteristic of
this festival of colour is the same everywhere. On the eve of this
festival, the kush-putul use to burn - this event is called Holika
Dahan according to Puranas. The tyrant demon Hiranyakashipu wanted to
burn his son Prahlad, who was the worshiper of his enemy lord Vishnu.
So, the king called his sister Holika to burn Prahlad. She entered
into the fire with Prahlad, but lord Vishnu saved his admirer Prahlad
and Holika died in fire. Hence, the people of the state played Holi
the next day happily. Since then, the social festival of Dol or Holi
is being observed across the country. Holika Dahan in Bengal is called
'Nera Pora' or 'burir ghar porano '. The room of Holika is being made
on this day in Bengal with paper, hay, dorma and khejur pata (date
tree's leaves). On this evening, after the rituals, the room is being
ignited and by this way they are burnt and all the people shout, "Aaj
amader nera pora Kaal amader Dol..." Moreover, it is the festival of
spring, it is the festival of each & every family.
--
A. B.
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