March 17, 2014: Seeing the form of the Holi festival as prevalent today one realises that this festival is basically celebrated at a social level. Though over the passage of time a number of religious and cultural rites and rituals have been included in it by more civilised people, yet the social form of this festival has still remained intact. Holikotsav, Dhulikotsav and Rangotsav are the three festivals which stand out easily. Holi, Dhulvag and Rangapanchami are their popular names.

Beginning from the full moon day (pournima) of the Hindu lunar month of Phalgun till the fifth day (panchami) this festival is celebrated for two to five days depending on the regional variations. It has various names such as Hori, Dolayatra in North India, Shimga, Holi and Hutashanimahotsav, Holikadahan (burning of Holika) in Goa, Konkan and Maharashòra and Kamadahan (burning of desires) in South India. One can also call it Vasantotsav or Vasantagamanotsav that is the festival celebrated to welcome the Vasant (spring) season.

It is a festival of radiance (Tej) in the universe. During this festival, different waves of radiance traverse the universe, thereby creating various colours that nourish and complement the function of respective elements in the atmosphere.

Celebrate Holi in the traditional way!

Recently, citing reasons of deforestation, Anti-Dharmik Organisations like the Andha-shraddhaNirmulanSamiti (ANIS) have been giving wrong advice to the people in society encouraging them to use garbage to light the Holi fire. One should not light the Holi sacrificial fire with garbage, since it pollutes the environment. Rather, if Holi is celebrated with the bhav of worshipping the Deity Holika, the atmosphere will become sattvik.

But did you ponder over this?

There is wide scale deforestation throughout the year on account of felling of trees for construction purposes, production of paper and other activities backed by man's selfish interests. However, so-called environmentalists ignore this and wake up from their slumber to create a hue and cry over the felling of trees on Holi, the religious occasion for Hindus that is celebrated once in a year. Their contention is that 'Trees are cut during Holi, which causes damage to the environment'. They also make fake appeals like - 'Burn (eradicate) evil thoughts in the fire of Holi' or 'Burn garbage in the fire of Holi'. Do not fall prey to such false, sacrilegious reasoning; but celebrate Holi and Rangapanchami as prescribed by Hindu Holy scriptures and use natural colours.

Dry wood should be used instead of feeling good trees to light Holi fires. Also, the basic objective of celebrating Holi is to forget our differences and come together. If people bear this in mind and celebrate the festival, they can save wood by having just one Holi sacrificial fire for the entire village or locality instead of each group separately burning wood for Holi. When Holi is celebrated, as per traditional practices, it is essential that the sanctity of the religious practice be maintained. Sanctity will be lost if dirt and garbage is used for the sacrificial fire of Holi.

Curbing Malpractices during Holi is our Religious Duty!

In the present times, there are a lot of malpractices taking place in the name of celebrating Holi. Similarly, on the day of Rangapanchami, people indulge in malpractices such as - throwing balloons filled with dirty water, applying dangerous dyes and colours to the body etc. These malpractices harm Dharma, and thus, putting an end to them is our religious duty. Spread this word in society and even after doing so, if you come across such incidents, lodge complaints with the Police. Hindu JanajagrutiSamiti and SanatanSansthaconducts public awareness campaigns in this regard.

Dhoolivandan

On this day either the ashes of Holi or dust is worshipped. This is the first day (pratipada) in the dark fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Phalgun. Dhoolivandan is also known as Dhulvad in Marathi. After ritualistic worship the ashes of the Holi sacrificial fire is offered obeisance with the following mantra which means:

"O dust (dhuli), Brahma,
Vishnu and Mahesh salute you,
Hence O Deity of the elements,
Grant us opulence and protect us."
 

Shri Vishnu performed Dhoolivandan at the beginning of Tretayuga. The implied meaning is, Lord Vishnu began His 'work' through the incarnation of various radiant colours. Rang panchami, played without Dhoolivandan signifies the 'Play' (Leela) of the Incarnation, which is manifest in the forms of various colours. The Dhoolivandan is the worship of the destroyer form of the Deities. - Pujya (Mrs.)AnjaliGadgil

Rangapanchami

It is celebrated on the fifth day (panchami) in the dark fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Phalgun by throwing a red, fragrant powder (gulal) and splashing coloured water, etc. on others.

The fire, which shines with its brilliance on Holi, decomposes the raja-tama particles in the atmosphere and this helps activate various Deities in the form of colours. This bliss is celebrated by throwing colours in the air. Thus, Rang Panchami is a symbol of victory over raja-tama. Rang Panchami, played on FalgunVadyaPanchami involves invocation of Gods and is a part of worship of the manifest form of Gods. Its purpose is to activate the five elements of radiant manifest colours and to touch and feel the Deities who are attracted to the respective colours. These five elements are a source, which help activate the element of the Deities according to the spiritual emotion of the Jiva. Rang Panchami is the worship of the saviour form of the Deities.