As the spring season blooms, the Hindus in India, Pakistan and all over the world start preparing for the most colorful festival in their religion: Holi. They celebrate the arrival of spring and their deity Krishna’s love story through this festival, who is considered to be a manifestation of Vishnu.
This celebration is commemorated with great enthusiasm as it’s the festival of colors. Many renditions of history lead to this holiday among the Hindus:
History of Holi: Why Hindu Celebrate Holi?
Let’s discuss why is Holi celebrated and the three historical events that connect to the celebration:
Krishna and Radha’s love story
Krishna fell in love with a milkmaid named Radha, who was a fair maiden. He wanted to have the pretty complexion of Radha. To rectify this, his mother suggested that he color Radha’s face to match his complexion. so, today, this playful act of mischievousness became a tradition and people play with colors. They paint their friends and loved ones with colors, symbolizing love and friendship.
Triumph of Lord Vishnu Against the Demon King
In Hindu mythology, Prahlad, a dedicated worshipper of Vishnu, was asked by his father, the demon king, Hiranyakashipu, to renounce his devotion to Vishnu. but Prahad did not waver, and kept his loyalty to Vishnu alive.
Enraged, Hiranyakashipu had Holika sit in a fire with Prahlad, trusting her divine shawl for protection. However, it shielded Prahlad, while Holika perished, symbolizing good’s victory over evil, celebrated through Holika Dahan’s bonfire during Holi.
The Arrival of Spring and Harvest Season
Other then history and mythology, the Holi festival also marks the beginning of Spring, when endless colorful flowers, fields, and crops are in full bloom. Farmers and People alike rejoice at this natural transition, making it a reason to celebrate this vibrant season.
Holi Celebration in Pakistan
The festival of colors, is joyfully celebrated by the Hindu community in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh and Punjab. The temples come alive with vibrant festivities, where people smear each other with colors, dance to traditional songs, share sweets like gujiyas, and greet each other with Happy Holi Wishes.
Holika Dahan, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil, is observed with bonfires the night before Holi. Despite being a minority celebration, Holi is embraced with enthusiasm, promoting unity and cultural harmony. In cities like Karachi and Hyderabad, even non-Hindus join in, highlighting Pakistan’s rich diversity and spirit of coexistence.
When is Holi 2025?
Every year all over the world, Holi is celebrated on the day after the full moon in the month of March. This celebration lasts approximately two days, the first one is dedicated to the Holika bonfire, and the second day is full of colorful festivities.
This year Holi 2025 is falling on the 13th and 14th of March.
Holi Festival in Pakistan
Every year, the hindus get together for this festival. Holi in India is a national affair, so it is a national holiday in the country. However, Holi in Pakistan looks a little different, as it is a minority holiday. Holi leaves in Pakistan is an optional holiday.
All hindus are free to have a holiday on the day and the muslim majority takes up their tasks for the day. Many non-Hindus also celebrate the festival together, giving them a sense of unity and joy on their favorite day.
Conclusion
In Pakistan, all Hindu festivals, from Holi and Diwali to the Hinglaj Yatra, are celebrated with enthusiasm and devotion. As a Muslim-majority country, Pakistan aims to ensure that its Hindu community feels free to practice their faith and embrace their traditions without hesitation.
These celebrations reflect the nation’s commitment to religious harmony, allowing Hindus to honor their heritage while fostering unity among diverse communities.
To experience the freedom of their religion, watch Rava’s Documentary Film, Goddess of Hinglaj and see how thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit the site every year for their most revered pilgrimage to Nani Hinglaj’s Mandir.