The festival of Holi is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early March every year.
Holi is a symbolic commemmoration of a legend from Hindu Mythology.
The story is about an arrogant king who resents his son Prahlada worshipping Lord Vishnu. He tries to kill his son but fails each time.
Finally, the king's sister Holika who is has a special boon which has made her immune to burning, sits with the boy in a huge fire.
However, the prince Prahlada emerges unscathed, while his aunt burns to death.
Holi commemorates this and huge bonfires are burnt on the eve of Holi as its symbolic representation.
This exuberant festival is also associated with the immortal love of Krishna and Radha, and hence, Holi is spread over 16 days in Vrindavan as well as Mathura - the two cities with which Lord Krishna shared a deep affiliation.
Apart from the usual fun with coloured powder and water, Holi is marked by vibrant processions which are accompanied by folk songs, dances and a general sense of abandoned vitality.
Today Holi is an excuse for Indians to shed inhibitions and caste differences for a day of spring fever and Big Fun. Teenagers spend the day misbehaving in the streets, adults extend the hand of peace, and everyone chases everyone else around, throwing brightly colored powder (gulal) and water over each other.
The festival's preamble begins on the night of the full moon. Bonfires are lit on street corners to cleanse the air of evil spirits and bad vibes, and to symbolize the destruction of the wicked Holika, for whom the festival was named.
Source: www.indiaexpress.com/faith/festivals/holi.html
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