Holika Dahan was held at Jai Jawan Colony 3 in Jaipur on March 17 this year. On the eve of Holi, the bonefire with hay and cow-dung cakes was lit signifying Holika Dahan to symbolise the victory of good over evil. People worshiped the fire and went around it to perform parikrama ritual and resolved to make their minds cleansed of evils (see inset video). The next day, the festival of colours or Dulandi was announced with the message of harmony and forgiveness.
According to cultural traditions, two-day Holi celebrations start with a Holika Dahan - lighting of bonfire - on the night before Holi and the next morning it becomes a free-for-all carnival of colours. However, the real message of Holi which is associated with Holika Dahan has got lost.
The spiritual under-pinning of Holika Dahan is conveyed by the following haiku.
Burn carnal desires
arising from baser instincts
to keep soul alive.
***
Burn to ashes lust,
Since it creates flames of anger
to make you soulless.
***
Burn off your evils.
Goodness will come up alive.
It's self-existent.
***
Vanquish all desires
for triumph of good over evil;
of love over hate.
***
Comments