Holi gets its name from Holika, demon king Hiranyakashyap’s sister. Hiranyakashyap had got a boon from Lord Vishnu that he would not be killed by man or animal, at day or night, inside or outside, above or on the ground.
So Hiranyakashyap said that only he should be worshipped, not God. His own son, Prahlad continued to worship Lord Vishnu. This made his father angry. He asked Prahlad to jump from a mountain, but he remained unhurt.
Even when Hiranyakashyap made Prahlad jump into a well, he was unharmed.
Hiranyakashyap tried to poison Prahlad. The poison turned to nectar in Prahlad’s mouth.
Then, Hiranyakashya ordered that wild elephants should trample Prahlad, but he was not hurt.
Next, Prahlad was put in a room with poisonous, angry snakes, but still nothing happened to him.
Finally, Hollka made Prahlad sit on a pyre with her. She was protected by a shawl that kept her from being burnt. The shawl flew from her to Prahlad. So, Holika burned, Prahlad was safe.
Lord Vishnu appeared as half-man, half-lion and killed Hiranyakashyap at dusk, on his porch steps.
A Holika bonfire is lit every year to remind us of the victory of good over evil. Holi is celebrated on the day after the bonfire.
Colombo Expats Cultural Association (CECA), Sri Lanka, a multi-national community comprising members from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, organized and celebrated the Festival of Colours – Holi at Vivanta Colombo, Airport Garden recently.
Holi is a prominent Hindu Festival that is celebrated as the Festival of Colors, Love and Welcoming the Spring.
The celebration was presided by Ankuran Dutta, Director of ICCR (High Commission of India). Along with the President of CECA, Capt. Anirban Banerjee, the Association mentors Ranjan Chakarawarthy and Sanjay Baid were also present. The festival brought about 250 families together in celebration.
CECA has been very actively involved in sharing the cultural experiences of the subcontinent and showcasing the history of these events.