Story of Holi: The Festival of Colors

There was once a demon king named Hiranyakashyap who was extremely self-centered. He prayed to Brahma, the creator of the universe, to make him immortal because he wanted to be the strongest creature. Brahma granted him a blessing due to his prayers: Neither man nor animal could ever kill Hiranyakashyap; He couldn’t be killed either inside or outside, neither on nor above the ground, neither during daylight nor during at night. With all those conditions, no one could kill the demon king, so the blessing delighted the demon king.

Hiranyakashyap began to believe that he was the most powerful person in the universe—even more so than God—because of his boon. Everyone in his kingdom became afraid of him, and he insisted they worship him alone.

Everyone in the kingdom worshipped him out of fear. However, Prahlad, the son of Hiranyakashyap, was the only person who did not. Imagine how furious the wicked king was when his son worshiped Vishnu!

He tried to persuade Prahlad to stop worshiping Vishnu, but he refused. The king declared that Prahlad would be killed out of rage. Fear gripped the kingdom’s populace. Because he did not worship the king, the king would put his own son to death! What chance did the remaining individuals have?

Prahlad was to be pushed off a cliff by the king’s soldiers. However, Prahlad was saved by Vishnu by landing on a substantial haystack. Prahlad was then pushed into a well by the evil demon king. Prahlad was able to swim out of the well and onto land because Vishnu caused the water to rise.

The king gave his son the order to be trampled by elephants out of confusion. The elephants refused to step on Prahlad because they saw the kindness in his heart. Even throwing Prahlad into a pit full of deadly snakes was done by Hiranyakashyap. However, the snakes danced rather than bite Prahlad when he began to chant Vishnu’s name.

After attempting to kill his son, Hiranyakashyap was exhausted. There appeared to be no solution. He then recalled something.

Holika, his evil sister, had been blessed that she would never be harmed by fire. Holika was made to sit on a wooden pyre with Prahlad on her lap by Hiranyakashyap, who told it to burn. The flames rose quickly.

As he believed Prahlad would be killed, Hiranyakashyap chuckled. But Holika’s blessing was given to Prahlad by Vishnu, and Prahlad survived the fire without getting burned, while Holika was reduced to ashes.

Vishnu was furious when Hiranyakashyap tried to kill Prahlad, his devotee. Although they were troubled by Hiranyakashyap’s evil deeds as well, the boon he had received rendered them powerless.

After waiting until it was getting dark, Vishnu emerged as an animal and human hybrid. Hiranyakashyap was dragged up the castle stairs by him, and he killed him in the doorway, where it wouldn’t be inside or outside, on the ground or in the sky. Even though it was neither day nor night, Vishnu had waited until dusk. Hiranyakashyap had to die because he had met all the blessing conditions.

Hiranyakashyap’s death brought joy to the kingdom’s populace. Finally, they were free of the fear he had spread to them.

Since then, to commemorate the triumph of good over evil, Indians have lit a bonfire known as Holi (after the evil Holika who perished in the fire). The joy of colors commemorates the people’s relief at being free of Hiranyakashyap’s fear.

Holi also signals the beginning of spring and the end of winter. Farmers use this festival to commemorate their harvest in many parts of the country. Of course, the water games and colors are a hit with kids nationwide!

Moral of Story of Holi: The Festival of Colors

The most powerful people can be defeated by the power of devotion and righteousness. No matter how invincible someone may seem, good will always triumph over evil. This story reminds us of the importance of celebrating the triumph of good over evil and spreading joy and positivity in our lives.