Do you know why the festival of Holi is celebrated and its significance? The main legend of the festival of Holi, and the reason why it acquired the name, centers on the story of King Hiranyakashyap. The proud King insisted that all his people worship nobody but him. However, his own son Prahlad worshipped Lord Vishnu. In anger, the King told his sister Holika to step into a fire with his son. Holika had received a special boon which ensured that she would never be harmed by flames.
That is why, every year on the occasion of Holi a fire is lighted up to signify the triumph of good over evil with a coconut generally thrown in.
She took Prahlad up on to a tower of wooden logs, telling him that by climbing to the top he would be able to come in close contact with all the heavenly Gods. Prahlad readily went with her.
 |
Holika with Prahlad at the top of the tower of wooden logs, built like a funeral pyre
|
However, Holika was unaware that the boon was effective only on condition that she enter a fire alone. Not being aware of this, Holika stepped into the flames with Prahlad and was herself destroyed. Prahlad was not harmed in any way, thanks to his loyal devotion to Lord Vishnu.
 |
Holika getting burnt by the flames, while Prahlad is not harmed as he prays to Lord Vishnu
|
[Photos source: Amar Chitra Katha]
No comments:
Post a Comment