Holi
Also known as the Festivals of Colours, Holi is the celebration of spring with all its beautiful colours and vibrant life. There are various legends behind the celebration of Holi the most familiar is the legend of the demon King Hiranyakashyap who demanded his kingdom to worship only him however, his son Prahlad became a devotee to Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap challenged his son to sit on a pyre surrounded by a blazing fire with his evil aunt Holika who, it was believed was immune to fire. Prahlad prayed to Lord Vishnu to protect him and he was indeed saved whilst Holika was burnt to ashes.
The day before Holi, people gather to sing and dance around a bonfire called Holika Dahan. The following day people throw coloured powder and water at each and the colours are smeared on their faces. During Holi there is no such thing as cast, colour, sex or age – it is about bringing people together.
