Holi in Mathura (2015): the burning

This is actually called the 'holika' where farmers burn a small mountain made of local items like hay, cow dung, food, etc as a sacrifice to please the gods. they prey around it while its burning. The real story behind the ritual, which i just learnt myself is as follows: "'Holi' the name comes from the legend of Holika (Prahlad's Aunt), who was asked by King Hiranyakashyap (Prahlad's father) to sit in the fire with Prahlad in her lap to kill him, as she had a boon of being unscathed by fire. However unknown to all, the boon was valid only if she sat alone. So in the end she burnt to ashes while Prahlad survived. Victory of Good over the Evil scheme. This Bonfire is called Holika, held on the full moon night with prayers, and the next day is celebrated with colours"

#wednesday #fire #festival #march #x100s #fujix100s