Holi is one of the most ancient festivals in India and was originally named 'Holika’. Celebrated throughout the country with immense zeal and fervor, Holi is also one of the most popular Indian festivals abroad. The celebrations of Holi differ from region to region, however the zeal and gusto with which the festival is welcomed throughout the country remains the same. It is often said that the modern form of Holi was introduced in Mathura and Vridvana by Lord Krishna himself and that is why Holi holds a special significance in the eastern part of the country. Read on this article to explore the origin as well as the history of Holi in the country.
Holi has a detailed description in the ancient Vedas and Puranas such as ‘Narad Purana’ and ‘Bhavishya Purana’. The festival of Holi also finds detailed descriptions in the Jaimini Mimansa. During an excavation, a stone inscription of 300 BC was found at Ramgarh and this stone inscription has mention of ‘Holikotsav’ i.e. the ‘celebrations of Holi’ written on it. This gives logic to the theories of the historian who believe Holi to be a celebration even before the birth of Christ. Other ancient references like the mention of holikotsav in King Harsha’s Ratnavali written during 7th century and the description of holikotsav in the travelogues of Ulbaruni, support the fact that Holi is not a nascent celebration in the country.
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