Holi Celebration Cards

Holi is one of the famous festival celebrated in India as the spring festival of India. It is also known as the festival of colors which begins on Duwadashi. There are various legends behind holi celebration. Most popular is the story of Prahlad, his father and god Vishnu. Holi also displays the immortal love of Krishna and Radha. Every year holi is celebrated in the month of march or april depending upon the hindu calendar. The festival begins by lighting bonfires on the holi night to display holika dahan (victory of good over bad). And in the next morning, the play of colors (gulal) with water begins as dhulendi. Bhang (intoxicating drinks and sweets) are taken in the form of bhang ke ladduu or bhang ka dhudh as the gift of Vishnu ji. So enjoy these holi celebration cards to drench your dearones and nearones with whole lots of water and gulal. Holi will be celebrated on March 11th - 2009.

Holika Dahan

Holika Dahan is an important event celebrated as on the eve of Holi festival. Holika Dahan is basically lighting bonfire and chanting Rakshoghna Mantras of the Rig Veda to ward off evil spirits. There is a legend behind the tradition of holika dahan. This day is celebrated in the memory of Prahlad's victory and the defeat of his aunt 'Holika'. Hiranyakashyap, father of Prahlad wishes that everyone should worship him instead any other god. But Prahlad was followed Lord Vishnu and never worshipped his father. The angry father instructed his sister 'holika' to sit in fire with Prahalad in her lap. She was blessed with a boon but the opposite happened. Prahlad survived from fire but his aunt 'holika' burnt in the fire. This marks the victory of good over bad.

Thats why every year, on the eve of Holi, holika dahan is practised by throwing unwanted wood, dried leaves and other burning material in the fire.