Story of Hiranyakashya, Holika and Prahlad
Why is Holika Dahan done and why do you play Holi the next day, the story of Hiranyakashyap, Holika and Prahlad is associated with it. In ancient times, there used to be an asura named Hiranyakashyap who hated Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap had a son Prahlada who was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu and is absorbed in the worship of God. Seeing the devotion of the child Prahlada, Hiranyakashyap decided to kill him. Hiranyakashyap made every effort so that he could kill Prahlad, but Prahlad used to survive every time.
Hiranyakashyap thought of taking help of his sister Holika. Holika had the boon that fire could not spoil her. Hiranyakashyap asked Holika to take Prahlada in his lap and sit in the flames and Holika did the same. Holika took Nanhe Prahlad in her lap and sat on the funeral pyre. But, by the grace of Lord Vishnu, Holika was consumed by burning and Prahlad survived. From then on, Holika was burnt as a victory of good over evil and every year the festival of Holi was celebrated.
Shri Krishna narrated this story to Yudhishthira
There is another story associated with Holi which Shri Krishna narrated to Yudhishthira. According to this legend, there was a village where the Asura used to live a woman. This Asura woman used to kill and eat the people of the village. The whole village was upset with this and wanted to get rid of. Seeing the problems of the people, Guru Vashistha told how this Asura woman can be killed.
After listening to Guru Vashistha, the children of the village made an idol from the soil of the Asura woman. Grass, wood and condoms etc. were kept around this idol and the idol was kept in such a way that the Asura woman should not see the idol. Guru Vashistha said that if this idol will be burnt after worshiping, then the real Asura woman will also be burnt and will be destroyed. So did happen. When the idol was burnt, the Asura woman also burnt and consumed. In this way, the villagers burnt Holika and celebrated Holi by dancing happily, distributed sweets and got rid of the Asura woman.
Story of Mahadev and Cupid
According to mythology, Mata Parvati wanted to marry Lord Shiva but Mahadev was not agreeing. Seeing this problem of Mata Parvati, Cupid thought of helping. Mahadev was absorbed in his penance when Cupid arrived there. Cupid drove flowers on him to disturb the penance of Lord Shiva. Mahadev opened his eyes with anger and Kamdev was consumed by fire. After this, Mahadev’s eyes fell on Mata Parvati and they agreed to marriage. It is believed that Mahadev once again made Kamdev alive. Holi started to be celebrated since then.
(Disclaimer: The information given here is based on general beliefs and information. Lokjanta does not confirm it.)
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