The History Behind Holi
March 14, 2025 at 6:37:00 PM
Plus how you can celebrate Holi in New York City
Holi is one of the most well known Hindu festivals celebrated globally. Popularly referred to as the festival of colors, it is commonly known for people throwing bright colored powders at each other. It also marks the beginning of spring.
I have personally played Holi every year when I was younger. However, I was never aware of the stories behind the holiday. Read below for the meanings behind Hinduism’s most vibrant celebration.
Holika Dahan: A story of good over evil and unrelenting devotion
Holi begins with Holika Dahan (also known as Choti Holi). This occurs the night before Holi itself, and is celebrated with a bonfire to symbolize the victory of good over evil.
The symbolism of the bonfire ties back to the story of demon king Hiranyakashyap, who demanded that his subjects worship him as a god. His son, Prahlad, was a devoted worshipper of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap specifically disliked Lord Vishnu, and decided to kill his son for refusing to worship him instead of Vishnu. The king failed many times, as Vishnu saved Prahlad every time.
Hiranyakashyap’s sister, Holika, was blessed with a gift that meant she could not be harmed by fire. She decided to take matters into her own hands, creating a fire and walking into the flames with Prahlad. Lord Vishnu saved Prahlad from the flames due to his faithful devotion, instead allowing Holika to peril in the fire.
Rangwali Holi: A tradition of equalization
Krishna, the eighth reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, is known by his blue skin. The origin of his blue skin is debated, with some claiming that it signifies his divine alignment with the cosmos, the sky, and the ocean. Others claim that Krishna drank a demon’s poison as a child, turning his skin blue as he soaked up the evil of the world and turned it into good.
Krishna is commonly known to have multiple lovers, but his soulmate was Radha, a milkmaid. She was known for her beauty, and Krishna felt insecure about his blue skin when he was with her.
When asking his mother for advice, she recommended that he create a game to paint Radha with bright, colorful dyes to equalize them beyond the colors of their skin. This ultimately brought Holi, which turned into a flirty and fun tradition for everyone.
How to Celebrate Holi in NYC
If you are based in New York City, here are a few events you can attend to celebrate Holi! These events require tickets or reservations.
Saturday, March 15 | 12 - 9pm ET
Saturday, March 15 | 12 - 7pm ET
Saturday, March 22 | 2-8pm ET
March 15 and 16 | 11:30am-4pm | $49pp
March 13-16 | Dinner only | A-la-carte menu