HOLI IN MAHARASHTRA

HOLI

Introduction

Holi is an important feast of farmers. It is an agricultural festival. This colorful festival is celebrated on Phalgum purnima which actually comes in February or early March.

Significant Legend

The legend goes thus: The feast of Holi involves an evil king named Hiranyakashipu. He prevented his son Prahlad from worshipping Vishnu. Getting angry with his son, Hiranyakashipu challenged Prahlad to sit on a burning wood with his wicked aunt Holika who was believed to be immune to fire.

Prahlad accepted the challenge and prayed to Vishnu to keep him safe. When the fire began everyone watched in amazement as Holika was burnt to death, while Prahlad survived without a scratch on his body. The burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi. According to some legends, Holika begged Prahlad for forgiveness before her death, and Prahlad announced that she would be remembered every year at Holi.

Holi in Maharashtra

People of Maharashtra have their own grand style of celebrating Holi. In Maharashtra this festival is called by the name of Shimga or Rangpanchami. It is on the fifth day the colours are played. The festival is particularly popular among the fisher men. They celebrate it in on a large scale by singing, dancing and merry making.

Historic significance of Holi in Maharashtra

During the rule of Maratha this festival was celebrated with great pomp and grandeur. It was on a Holi festival day that five yea old Jijabhai, daughter of Lakhooji Jadhav innocently splashed coloured water and threw gulal on young Shahaji, son of Malajirao Bhowale. Taking it as an auspicious event, the engagement of the two children was announced that very day. Soon they were married. Later, Jijabhai gave birth to Shivaji, the founder of great Maratha Empire.

Breaking the Pot

The youth of Maharashtra show great enthusiasm, in breaking the pot on this great day. Trained groups for breaking these pots of butter milk hung high on the street are called as tolis. The tradition finds its roots in the legend that the Lord Krishna as a child was extremely fond of butter milk and used to steal it from an accessible house in his village.