Celebrating Holi with Adobe Express
Holi, otherwise known as the festival of colors, is celebrated every spring across India, Nepal, and worldwide to welcome spring. It’s a time to let go of negativity and be open to a new beginning. While Holi is most tied to Hinduism, it’s an inclusive festival symbolizing the triumph of good over evil that’s open to all who wish to join.
The origins of Holi
Many associate Holi with the legend of Hiranyakashipu, a demon king in ancient India. Hiranyakashipu asked his sister, Holika, to help kill his son, Prahlada, a devoted worshipper of Vishnu. An attempt was made to burn Prahlada, while Holika sat with him on a pyre while wearing a cloak that protected her from fire, but the cloak protected Prahlada and Holika burned instead. Later on that same night, Vishnu killed Hiranyakashipu and the story is known as a triumph over good over evil.
In other places, the love story of Krishna and Radha is central to the Holi celebrations. Krishna, a Hindu deity (who is considered a manifestation of Vishnu) fell in love with a milkmaid named Radha. However, he felt embarrassed that his skin was blue while hers was fair, so he colored her face using paints.
How Holi is celebrated
Holi is considered a time in which the gods turn a blind eye, allowing even the most devout Hindus to let loose, dance, party, and forget cultural norms. On the first day of Holi a bonfire is lit to symbolize the burning away of the bad to make way for a new colorful future. In many places in India, a large pyre is also lit the night before Holi in remembrance of the story of Hiranyankashipu.
The main part of the Holi festival involves the throwing of powder dye into the air, covering those who celebrate in a variety of vibrant colors – similar to how Krishna covered Radha in colored paint.
The colors themselves have many meanings. Some believe the colors represent the vibrancy of new life, while many believe that the washing off of the dye at the end of the day is a commitment to live well by cleansing oneself of evil and demons.
Celebrating Holi with Adobe Express templates
Join in the festivities and wish a happy Holi to your network with our range of templates in Adobe Express.
