This year, after a gap of many years, in Anand Lok, Holika Dahan ( Choti Holi ) was celebrated on the evening of 7th March’23, with a lovely bonfire, to commemorate the victory of good over evil.
The Festival Of Colours takes us back to Hindu Mythology where Hiranyakashipu did everything possible in his power to kill his son Prahlad.
Prahlad was a devotee of Lord Vishnu which was not at all accepted by his demon father Hiranyakashipu who tried to kill Prahlad numerous times but failed every time. Hence, in the end, Prahlad’s aunt (sister of Hiranyakashipu) Holika intervened and tried to help her brother in killing Prahlad. They laid a trap where Holika would sit in a fire with Prahlad in her lap. However, with the grace of Lord Vishnu, Prahlad emerged unhurt, while Holika was burnt to death.
The Holika Dahan was organized within a very short notice, by the residents of Anand Lok, with initiative of Ms. Aruna Gupta and assisted by Mr. Praveen Agarwal, Mr. Arvind Gupta, Ms.Neetu Sharma, Myself and others. A large number of residents, children and elderly alike, made the occasion memorable through Puja, dancing around the fire and creating a lovely bonhomie. Hot Samosas, Tea, Mathris, Sweets, Nimboo Paani brought by some of the residents made the evening delightful !
by Shakun Maithel Mandal (9810885847)
