Why is it celebrated?
"Holi” literally implies burning, which is associated with burning of Holika on this day. Huge bonfires are burnt on the full moon night of Holi, to remember the victory of good over evil. The Holi fire is considered to ward off all the evil spirits. Holi is also known as festival of colors, spreading brotherhood, love and feeling of togetherness in not only Hindus, but people of all cultures.
Importance
The importance of the festival is in both terms i.e. mythological as well as religious because of this festival, people celebrates various legends attached to this festival. Another importance is that it reassures people about the victory of truth.
Name of Holi is attached with Holika who was a sister of Devil King Hiranyakashayapa she was gifted by the Gods with magical powers that she could immune to fire. So, a plan was chalked out against Prahalad who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. The plan was that Holika would sit on burning pyre taking prahalad in her lap and as a result prahalad would burn to ashes and she would be harmless. But blessings of God paid only for those who care for others on the contrary, Holika was engaged in evil works and was evil minded. As a consequence to her wicked plan, magical power that Holika inherited from Gods vanished and she burned into ashes while prahalad remained safe. At last, it proved that Truth always Triumphs.
Another legend associated with Holi is the story of young Krishna, who was fond of playing pranks on the “gopis” in Gokul and Vrindavan. He drenched the village girls in water and colours as part of his pranks, which made the gopis agitated. However, their anger soon went away as they were fond of lord Krishna. He and his friends teased the gopis by their mischiefs,
How this is celebrated
In the evening there is a burning of bonfires popularly known as Holika Dahan. The festival is also known as ‘festival of colors’ as on next day people enjoy this festival by throwing water colors and dry colors on each other. Farmers celebrate this festival in their own way as it is a symbol for starting of an agricultural season of the crop known as Rabi. This festival continues for about two to three days. Children enjoy this festival by playing color water with their squirt-guns.
When this festival is celebrated
Starting of this festival is on Duwadashi which lies in the month of Phalguna i.e. in the months of February and March.
Where this festival is celebrated
This festival is celebrated all over India but as many customs are attached with Lord Krishna so on large scale this festival is celebrated in the ancient city known as Mathura and also in Barsana where most lovable to Lord Krishna, Radha was born.