
Holi is significant of spring and a good harvest. It is marked by showering of colors and colored water, followed by singing, dancing and merry making. The fun continued with lots of tasty dishes being prepared by all and sharing with all. The celebrations continue for two days and on the first evening the bonfire is lit as a reminder of the burning of Holika, the demon king Hiranya Kashyap’s daughter who was trying to kill his son and her brother Pralad for worshipping Lord Vishnu and not their Demon father. The boy lived and his sister burned, consumed by the fire. The bonfire is considered to be pious and by taking rounds of the fire newlyweds believe it strengthens the bonds of love.

Since Hindus are not a dominant religion the celebrations though not on very large scale are organized in most major cities like Lahore, Punjab, Baluchistan, Multan and Karachi. Due to the strained circumstances from the various terror attacks lot of the local Hindu population tend to stay away from big celebrations and just pray for the well being of all.

Holi in Pakistan is usually a low key affair though all the traditional rituals and customs are observed by the Hindus. Many of the locals take this festival as an opportunity to mingle and enjoy the lighthearted fresh spirit of this day. Holi makes a perfect occasion for bring the young and old out from their houses to celebrate the arrival of summer and shed the winter sluggishness with a riot of rainbow hued colors.
इस आर्टिकल को हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहां क्लिक करें