The Festival of Colors, compiled from different sources
While India is a country full of festivals and cultures, Indians look forward to the festival of colors, Holi the most. The festival is all about getting together to eat, dance, throw colors at each other and celebrate the festival. Holi is one of the most prominent and happiest festivals in India. The festival marks the arrival of spring and thanksgiving for a good harvest.
Holi is a celebration of the divine love between Lord Krishna and Radha. According to mythology, Lord Krishna was of a dark complexion and used to complain to his mother, Yashoda. Additionally, Radha was very fair, and Krishna used to be anxious if she would accept him despite the contrast in their complexion. So one day, Yashoda playfully suggested that Lord Krishna should smear Radha’s face with colors to remove the difference in their complexion. Krishna followed his mother’s advice and smeared Radha’s face. And that is how Holi celebrations began all over the country. This is why the festival is played with much pomp in Mathura and Vrindavan. It is also a harvest festival and marks the arrival of spring and the end of winter.
Mike Ghouse
Center for Pluralism
Thank you.