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Recognizable for its signature bright-colored
powders that coat celebrants head-to-toe,

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the annual Hindu festival of Holi is
perhaps the most colorful day of the year.

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Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors,
is celebrated with pomp and merriment

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in India, especially North India,
and has spread around the world.

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The festival marks the start
of spring, and it takes place

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on the full-moon day of the Hindu calendar month
Phalguna, corresponding to February or March

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One account of Holi's origins
lies in the ancient Hindu

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legend of the demon king Hiranyakashipu.

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Hiranyakashipu enlisted the help of
his sister, Holika, to kill his son,

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Prahlada, who worshipped the god
Vishnu instead of the demon king.

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Holika, who was immune to fire,
attempted to burn Prahlada on a pyre.

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However, Holika's immunity was transferred to
Prahlada because of his devotion to Vishnu,

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and Holika burned instead.

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In many places, a large bonfire is lit the night
before Holi, called Holika Dahan or Choti Holi,

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to celebrate Vishnu's protective power.

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Vishnu, in his avatar as the man-lion
Narasimha, later killed Hiranyakashipu,

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confirming the triumph of good over evil.

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Holi spring festivities are documented in
poems dating back to the early centuries CE.

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Today, celebrations consist
of large raucous gatherings

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where people throw colored water and
powders, called gulal, on each other.

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Gulal was traditionally
made from flowers and herbs,

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though today many colors
are synthetically produced.

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During Holi celebrations, societal
rankings--including caste, gender,

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and age--are disregarded, everyone is
fair game to be splashed or coated.

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The ritual of throwing colored powder
is said to stem from the legendary love

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story of Krishna and Radha.

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According to the tale, Krishna, a
Hindu deity and avatar of Vishnu,

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fell in love with the milkmaid Radha.

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But Krishna was embarrassed that his skin
was dark blue while Radha's was fair,

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so he playfully colored her face during a game.

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The romance between the two
symbolizes the deity's playfulness

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and the mutual love between god and devotee.

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On Holi, after cleaning off the
colored powder, families and friends

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gather in the evenings for a festive
meal with many delicious sweets.

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While marking the start of spring,
the day also serves as a reminder

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that good conquers evil, provides a
moment of reprieve from societal norms,

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and reenacts a meaningful love story.

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