Holi 2022: When is it and why do we celebrate the festival of colours?

It’s almost time for the burst of colour that is the festival of Holi – Hindu festival which turns the streets into a blaze of colour to mark the start of Spring.

The holiday is a joyous two-day event of dancing, feasting, and general mayhem – complete with plenty of coloured paint and water pistols.

But just what is Holi about and why is it celebrated?

Here is everything you need to know about the festival.

When is Holi in 2022?

This year, Holi festival falls on Friday, March 18.

The date of Holi is determined by the Hindu lunar calendar which means it is not the same every year, but does fall around the same time.

Holi is a national holiday in India and Nepal, and is also observed by Hindus across the globe.

Why is Holi celebrated?

Holi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil, and the coming of spring.

It lasts for a night and a day, taking place on the last full moon of the Hindu lunar month Phalguna.

The first day is called Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi, while the second is known as Holi, Rangwali Holi, Dhuleti, Dhulandi, or Phagwah.

While Holi is an ancient Hindu festival, it has become popular with non-Hindus in South Asia, Europe, and North America, among other places.

Festivities can last even longer in some places. In the Braj region around Mathura in north India, the fun can last over a week, while the area also has a unique ritual where men go around with shields and women have the right to playfully beat them with sticks.

What’s the story of Holi?

The festival originates from the story of the arrogant King Hiranyakashipu, who asked to be worshipped as he believed he was invincible, and who subsequently punished his son Prahlada for remaining loyal to the god Vishnu instead.

When Prahlada’s evil aunt tried to trick him into sitting on a burning pyre, thereby getting rid of him for good, her magic cloak flew off her back and protected him instead, leaving her to burn to death.

Meanwhile, Hiranyakashipu got his comeuppance after Vishnu appeared as a half-human, half-lion creature and took him away, destroying him with his claws.

Why do people throw paint during Holi?

It is widely believed that the paint-throwing is based on the legend of deity Krishna, who was self-conscious about the blue colour of his face, due to being poisoned by breast milk.

He was in despair because he believed Radha the milkmaid wouldn’t like him.

He told his mother, Devaki, who advised him to paint his face so that his colour didn’t matter.

Now it is celebrated by thousands of people throwing paint around and getting covered in different colours.

MORE : When is Purim, what is the Jewish festival and how is it usually celebrated?

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