Bhajans

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Holi

Festival of Colors

Holi is a vibrant spring festival celebrating love, joy, and the triumph of good over evil. Known as the Festival of Colors, it marks the arrival of spring and the end of winter.

Significance

Celebrates the divine love of Radha and Krishna, and commemorates the victory of devotee Prahlad over the demoness Holika.

Duration: 2 days

Rituals & Traditions

Holika Dahan (bonfire ceremony)
Playing with colors (gulal)
Singing and dancing
Sharing festive foods
Visiting friends and family
Forgiveness and new beginnings

Sacred Shloka

Krishna Holi Shloka

Sanskrit:

रंगभूमि में राधे श्याम खेलें होली। गोपी गोपाल मिलकर मनावें होली॥

English Translation:

In the colorful ground, Radha and Shyam play Holi. Gopis and Gopal together celebrate Holi.

Meaning:

This shloka captures the divine play of Lord Krishna and Radha during Holi, symbolizing the eternal love and joy that transcends all boundaries.

Sacred Stories

Prahlad and Holika

The story of Holi begins with the demon king Hiranyakashipu, who wanted everyone to worship only him. However, his son Prahlad was a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu. Enraged, Hiranyakashipu asked his sister Holika, who had a boon to remain unburnt by fire, to sit in a pyre with Prahlad on her lap. However, because of Prahlad's devotion and Holika's evil intentions, she was burned while Prahlad remained safe. This victory of good over evil is celebrated as Holika Dahan.

Krishna and the Colors

Another beloved story is of young Krishna, who was self-conscious about his dark complexion compared to fair Radha. His mother Yashoda playfully suggested he could color Radha's face any color he wanted. Krishna took this advice and started the tradition of playing with colors during Holi. This playful act became a symbol of love transcending physical appearances and celebrating the divine connection between souls.

Devotional Bhajan

Holi Khele Raghuveera

Hindi/Sanskrit:

होली खेले रघुवीरा अवध में होली खेले रघुवीरा उड़त गुलाल लाल भयो अंबर खुशियों से भरा है यह समां ब्रज में होली खेले कन्हैया राधे संग रंग में डूबे गोपियों के संग नाचे गाए प्रेम रस में सब को भिगोए होली है भाई होली है रंगों का त्योहार होली है खुशियों का संचार होली है प्यार का उपहार होली है

English Translation:

Raghuvira plays Holi in Ayodhya Raghuvira plays Holi Flying colors have made the sky red This atmosphere is filled with joy Kanhaiya plays Holi in Brij Drowned in colors with Radha Dances and sings with the gopis Drenches everyone in love's essence It's Holi brother, it's Holi Holi is the festival of colors Holi is the flow of happiness Holi is the gift of love

Meaning:

This complete bhajan celebrates both Lord Rama and Krishna playing Holi, representing the joy, love, and divine play that characterizes this beautiful festival of colors.

Sacred Aarti

Holi Aarti

Hindi/Sanskrit:

होली आई रे, होली आई रंग बरसे नीले गगन से धरती हर्षाई कृष्ण कन्हैया ब्रज में आए राधे संग रंग खेलाई गोपियों के मन को भाए होली आई रे, होली आई गुलाल उड़ाए, पिचकारी चलाए सबको रंग में रंग जाए प्रेम की धारा बहाए होली आई रे, होली आई

English Translation:

Holi has come, Holi has come Colors rain from the blue sky The earth rejoices Krishna Kanhaiya came to Brij Played colors with Radha Delighted the hearts of gopis Holi has come, Holi has come Throws gulal, shoots water guns Colors everyone in hues Flows the stream of love Holi has come, Holi has come

Meaning:

This aarti celebrates the arrival of Holi with great joy, describing how Lord Krishna's divine play with colors brings happiness and love to all beings.