Holi, the Hindu festival of colours sometimes known as the festival of love, signifies the victory of good over evil, and the festival indicates the arrival of spring bringing an end to winter. It repairs broken relationships with colours love and joy.
The festival lasts for two days starting on the full moon day “Purnima” falling in the Hindu Calendar month of Falgun, which falls between the end of February and mid-March.
The first day is known as Holika Dahan (Choti Holi) and the second day as Rangwali Holi, Dhuleti, Dhulandi or Dhulivandan.
The celebrations begin night before Holi with a bonfire where people gather, and pray that their internal evil should be destroyed as the bonfire starts. The following morning is celebrated as Rangwali Holi.
Significance:
Holi gets us close to our religion and our heritage as it is essentially the celebration of various legends associated with the festival.
The legend of Prahlad and Hiranyakshyap.
According to the legend, there was a powerful demon king, Hiranyakshyap, a self-claimed god, who demanded worships from everybody.
But his own son, Prahlad was a devotee of Lord Vishnu, which kept pinching Hiranyakshyap.
In order to get rid of his son, Hiranyakshyap requested his sister, Holika to enter pile of fire with Prahlad in her lap, as she had a boon to enter fire unscathed. But due to Prahlad’s extreme devotion towards Lord Vishnu, he was unaffected by the blazing fire, while Holika paid a price for her sinister desire. The tradition of burning Holika or the 'Holika Dahan' comes mainly from this legend.
Social Significance:
This Festival helps to bring the society together and strengthen the secular fabric of our country. The festival is also largely celebrated by people from different religions as everybody likes to be a part of such a colorful and joyous festival.
Cinnamon Kitchen Paint Pods
Outside Vivek Singh’sCinnamon Kitchen in Devonshire, there’s a specially constructed Paint Pod, where Londoners can book a thirty minute session to chuck neon colours at each other, with both the paint and protective white suits provided. Afterwards, settle in at the restaurant itself for a special five-course 'Holi Bites' menu.
Info: Until March 12, Cinnamon Kitchen, 9 Devonshire Square, EC2M 4YL, designmynight.com
Dishoom throw a party
The deservedly beloved London chain Dishoom are throwing not just one but two parties over in Bethnal Green’s York Hall. The first, running midday till 3pm, is open to everyone and welcomes families, while the second, from 6pm until 10pm, is just for the grown-ups.
Info: March 12, York Hall, 5 Old Ford Rd, Bethnal Green, E2 9PJ,dishoom.com
Chai Ki take to the water
Holi smokes, Batman. Canary Wharf’s Chai Ki are briefly headed for a change of scenery this Sunday as they go to Hackney Wick for a cruise on the Alfred Le Roy. The boat will be firing colourful Holi cannons as it cruises back down the Limehouse Cut.
Info: March 12, Alfred Le Roy, 7 Queens Yard, E9 5EN,designmynight.com
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