(During Guru Maa's Trip to India)
Holi was one of my favorite festivals as a child, and continues to be on top of my list. I still remember the pichkaris (water-guns,) the water-balloons, sprinkling of colors - getting really messy and then going to Juhu Beach, when it was still safe to do so. No one minded it. We did not spare anyone – young or old and especially knocked on the doors of whoever was still hiding! We celebrate this festival at our Ashram in NY too for years – Thandai, the dance and music, Holika Dahan and then the sprinkling of ‘Gulal’ on each other. (please see last journal for the article and pictures) Years ago, Her Holiness Guru Maa came back to US right before this festival and took part in all the festivities. Additionally, She would throw a silver coin up in the air – and the lucky recipient was blessed with prosperity throughout the year. Also, She gave her shawl and saree to Her devotee or disciple to bless them with positive vibrations throughout the year. Now, this festival is celebrated in a big way at our India Ashram too. Before we go through the details, let us quickly refresh our memories about the cultural and historical background of this colorful festival.
It is a spring festival heralding good harvests and fertility of the land. That is the reason it is celebrated with colors, dance and music by all Indians. Traditionally, natural colorful herbs were used which were very healthy unlike the current days. This exuberant day is also associated with the immortal love of Krishna and Radha. On the Purnima (full moon day) of Phalgun month, a bonfire of wood is burned all over India and at temples outside India to celebrate the victory of good over evil, or the destruction of the wicked Holika.
According to legends, Hiranyakashyap was the king of demons who had been granted a boon by Brahma which made it almost impossible to kill him. The boon was granted to him following a long penance. He was not to be killed during day or night, inside the home or outside, not on earth or sky, neither by a man or an animal, neither by astra (weapon) or shastra (knowledge). Consequently, he became arrogant and demanded that people stop worshipping Gods and instead pat their obedience towards him. However, his son, Prahlad was a devotee of Lord Vishnu and refused to worship his father, the king. The father tried to kill Prahlad many different ways, but his FAITH in Lord Vishnu was so strong that he survived all the murder attempts against him. Finally, the King’s sister, Holika steps in. She was given a boon of not being affected by ?re. So, she hatched a plot with her brother. She would hold Prahlad in her lap and sit in a bonfire. She did exactly that- but Vishnu once again protected Prahlad, and Holika, the evil demoness was destroyed as her ‘protection’ was taken away since she was using her boon for an evil act. Later, Lord Vishnu came in the form of half-man and half-lion (Narsimha) and killed Hiranyakashyap at dusk, on the steps of the porch of his palace by restraining him on his lap and mauling him with his claws.
In Lonavala, Her Holiness has introduced this festival in a big way. A cultural program was held on the evening of March 12th, and Holika Dahan was performed on March 13th.
The musical program was organized in a grand way at the Purohit resort. The Mandap and stage were decorated with bright colorful dupattas or fabric, and fresh flowers.
A key achievement this time was that the program was self-funded by Vedic Heritage in India. The Purohits, Urmil Kanodia, Rajiv Poddar, Rakesh Vashist were some of the sponsors who made it possible to be self-funded in India. There was huge presence of the press-corps. But they were a bit disappointed when confirmed invitee celebrities like Dharmendra, Jackie Shroff and Pandit Jasrajji were no-showers. But, their disappointment quickly disappeared when the program started. The young winners from the 2005 Dipawali Program of New York dazzled the crowd with their brilliant performances. Debpriya Adhikary, Kunal Gunjal, Mada Spandana, Diwakar Kashyap, Mrinal Upadhyay and Kalyani gave their best performances. It should be noted that Guru Maa was the first one to introduce classical music and dance in US, and now is the first one to do it for Lonavalites too. Sunita Buddhiraja once again mesmerised the crowd with her oratory as a MC. This year, even the weather cooperated. An audience of nearly 400 folks took advantage of this great cultural program. The Purohit family served everyone a delicious dinner along with Thandai (without Bhang). Little devotees (Darshana, Ruchi and Priti) earlier welcomed all the guests in a traditional Indian way. There were innumerable guests from out of town like Doctorsaheb (Jhunjhunwala), Kanodia, Pramila Lodha, Mr and Mrs Kanti Sett, Bhandaris and Saraffs. ManakMuniji and Rajmata Bibiji were the Chief Gusts, and Sharda, the famous singer (of “Titli Uddi” fame) was also present.
Guru Maa was so encouraged with the success of this program, that She believes that this celebration will become bigger and more famous in the coming years. She even plans to have a senior artist perform. Padma Vibhusan Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia has already agreed to perform next year.
The next evening, a huge bonfire was prepared by the devotees outside the main gate of our Ashram. It was beautifully decorated by Rangoli design. Kadhi-Chawal and Boondi Prasad was also distributed to the assembled devotees. After the Holika Dahan, the children and adults went crazy playing with colors and water. Guru Maa presented Her saree and shawl to a couple of lucky disciples. She also tossed the silver coin in the air – a lucky localite was blessed with prosperity by Her Holiness.
So, Holi was celebrated in a big way at both the NY and Lonavala Ashram. The simple message of optimism with the onset of spring, and the victory of good over evil against all odds was passed on to hundreds of devotees.
|
Other past events
|
