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Why Holika, a demoness, is worshipped on Holi? It is quite mysterious to worship Holika during Holi. Even no religious book has detailed explanation of worshipping Holika.
However in Narada Purana, Holika Dahan is mentioned which informs us about worshipping Holika and burning it with woods while singing songs.
It is written in Narada Purana "Some foolish or childish people, due to constant fear of blood sucking demons, created Holika. Hence, I worship you and seek power, wealth and prosperity for myself. Holika is a demoness and she scares Prahalad. Hence we burn her with wood and music. Burning of Holika is also symbolic of burning the year as well as sexual desires."
In the beginning Holika was protective as she was created to ward off all fears. She was symbol of power, wealth and prosperity and could bestow those to her worshippers. However she became harmful and fearsome when she tried to immolate devotee Prahalada. Hence Holika was burnt to ward off any further trouble.
Many scholars give their own explanation of word Holika and reason to worship her. Most of those interpretations zero down to burn evil even if it has power of doing good.
Detailed Holi Puja Vidhi including Sankalpa Mantra, Puja Samagri and Holika Sthapana Vidhi has been provided step by step. Mantras of Goddess Ambika, Lord Ganesha, Lord Narasimha, Bhakt Prahlada, etc. are also included in the given Puja Vidhi.
Although playing Holi with Abir, Gulal and various types of chemical colours has become popular now, but traditionally Holi was played with Tesu Flowers. In most of the temples of Vrindavan-Mathura, even today Holi is celebrated with Tesu colour.
In Braj, Holi is celebrated with more enthusiasm as compared to other places. Apart this, the Lathamar Holi of Barsana has a special place. Women in the form of Gopis enjoy Lathamar Holi by beating the Gwalas with sticks.
Holika Dahan Muhurat is given with the time of Bhadra Punchha and Bhadra Mukha. On the eve of Holika Dahan huge bonfires are lit to commemorate the burning of the demoness Holika, the sister of demon Hiranyakashipu.
Holi is one of the most popular festivals celebrated by Hindus with great joy every year. Holi is also known as the festival of colours. On this day people throw coloured powder and coloured water on each other.
Holi Greetings Cards are given with many beautiful images like Shri Radha Krishna Playing Holi, Lathamar Holi of Braj, Krishna Playing Holi on Peacock, Krishna Playing Holi on Elephant, Holika Dahan Puja, etc, which you can send to your loved ones.
The above Holi Rasiya song is given with Hindi lyrics and video. Holi festival seems incomplete without this song.
It is believed, on Ranga Panchami, Lord Krishna played Holi of colors and Gulal with Shri Radha Rani. At some places in India Holi is played on Ranga Panchami. It usually falls after five days of Holi festivity in rest of India.
The Deities worshipped on Ranga Panchami, the Significance of Ranga Panchami, Public Life and Observances on Ranga Panchami and how this popular festival is celebrated in different regions of India, etc. is described in detail.
