A unique situation prevails here
Bangladesh now demonstrates an example of unique and peaceful coexistence of all religious faiths.
Even foreigners can now get scope to enjoy any religious festival without fear and anxiety—the much-needed environment that virtually got destroyed after painful Holey Artisan incident where more than 22 people, including 17 foreigners, were killed.
The traditionally Hindu festival transcends religious as well as communal barriers, as celebrants danced, sang and splashed their friends and family with coloured powder and water.
The two-day Holi, a spring festival of colours, ended at Dhaka’s Shankharibazar with ripples of excitement and amusement on Friday. This traditionally Hindu festival transcends religious as well as communal barriers, as celebrants danced, sang and splashed their friends and family with coloured powder and water.
Even foreigners can now get scope to enjoy any religious festival without fear and anxiety—the much-needed environment that virtually got destroyed after painful Holey Artisan incident where more than 22 people, including 17 foreigners, were killed.
The traditionally Hindu festival transcends religious as well as communal barriers, as celebrants danced, sang and splashed their friends and family with coloured powder and water.
The two-day Holi, a spring festival of colours, ended at Dhaka’s Shankharibazar with ripples of excitement and amusement on Friday. This traditionally Hindu festival transcends religious as well as communal barriers, as celebrants danced, sang and splashed their friends and family with coloured powder and water.
People from all walks of life, including Muslims and even foreigners, got doused with colours on the day, thus clearly giving a message of shared religious harmony, amity and social bonding in Bangladesh.
Every year, people throng the old part of the city to celebrate Holi. This reminds us of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s universal statement ‘Religions might be different, but festivals are singular’.
Every year, people throng the old part of the city to celebrate Holi. This reminds us of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s universal statement ‘Religions might be different, but festivals are singular’.
It does not matter whether you know the person next to you or not, you would still greet them and smear some color on them, because that’s the spirit of Holi.
MYTH BEHIND HOLI
The roots of the festival lie in the Hindu legend of Holika, a female demon, and the sister of the demon, King Hiranyakashayap. Hiranyakashayap believed he was the ruler of the universe and superior to all the gods.
The roots of the festival lie in the Hindu legend of Holika, a female demon, and the sister of the demon, King Hiranyakashayap. Hiranyakashayap believed he was the ruler of the universe and superior to all the gods.
But his son, Prahlad, followed the god Vishnu, the preserver and protector of the universe.
Prahlad’s decision to turn his back on his father left Hiranyakashayap with no choice. He hatched a plot with Holika to kill him.
It was a seemingly foolproof plan; Holika would take Prahlad onto her lap and straight into a bonfire. Holika would survive because she had an enchanted shawl that would protect her from the flames.
But the plan failed. Prahlad was saved by Vishnu and it was Holika who died as she was only immune to fire if she was alone. Soon after, Vishnu killed Hiranyakashayap and Prahlad became king.
The moral of the story is that good always triumphs over evil.
In modern day Holi celebrations, Holika's cremation is often reenacted by lighting bonfires on the night before Holi, known as Holika Dahan.
In modern day Holi celebrations, Holika's cremation is often reenacted by lighting bonfires on the night before Holi, known as Holika Dahan.
Some Hindus collect the ashes and smear them on their bodies as an act of purification
Rangwali Holi takes place the next day and is an all-day affair where people throw and smear colored powder on each other.
The tradition of throwing colored powder and water is believed to originate from the mythological love story of Radha and Krishna.
Rangwali Holi takes place the next day and is an all-day affair where people throw and smear colored powder on each other.
The tradition of throwing colored powder and water is believed to originate from the mythological love story of Radha and Krishna.
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