Holi a festival of joy, love and unity, says HG Prashant Mukund Das
- Prashant Mukund Das
- Mar 22
- 3 min read
This article is published on the auspicious occasion of Holi in the Daily Jammu Jottings Newspaper on 14th March 2025.
Explained in detail about spiritual facts behind holi by Prashant Mukund Das.
The key points taken by reporter from the katha on YouTube.
Also seen on link
Holi, a festival of joy, love and unity, says HG Prashant Mukund Das
JJ CORRESPONDENT
Delhi, Mar 13: Holi, the vibrant festival of colors, is celebrated with immense enthusiasm and devotion across the world. With its origins in the Braj Vrindavan region of India, this ancient festival has been celebrated for over 5000 years. For many, Holi symbolizes the transcendental love between Radha and Krishna, while others observe it as the birth anniversary of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (Who is Krishna in Kaliyuga). Over the centuries, this festival has transformed from a regional celebration into a global event that unites people in joy and spiritual devotion.
This profound message was delivered by HG Prashant Mukund Das, who is a famous International Bhagvat Kathakar from ISKCON while he was addressing the congregation during his discourse on the significance of Holi. He emphasized that Holi is not just a festival of colors, but a celebration of divine love, unity, and the triumph of good over evil.
In his discourse, HG Prashant Mukund Das highlighted the cultural and spiritual importance of Holi. He said that the festival is deeply rooted in the divine love of Radha and Krishna, symbolizing the powerful bond between them. The origins of Holi are tied to a playful incident between Lord Krishna and Radha, where Krishna playfully applied colored powder on Radha to make her smile at Gulal Kund in Gatholi Village of Govardhan, giving birth to the tradition of celebrating with colors.
He also pointed out the connection of Holi to the victory of Devotee Prahlad over the demoness Holika by chanting the holy names of Krishna, commemorating the victory of good over evil.
Celebrating ISKCON Holi is a grand festival of Gaur Purnima, whereas in Braj region, it lasts for about 40 days, beginning from Basant Panchami. During this period, various exciting and devotional events are held, such as 'Ladoo Maar,' 'Lath Maar,' 'Chhadi Maar,' and the famous 'Huranga Utsav,' which are filled with devotion and fervor.
In ISKCON temples, Holi is celebrated with grandeur and reverence. The festivities begin with the Palki Utsav of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda, where the deities are carried in beautifully decorated palanquins, accompanied by joyful kirtans sung by the devotees. The deities undergo an elaborate abhishek (bathing) with sacred substances like Panchamrit and Panchagavya, followed by prayers and a grand aarti. A floral shower (Pushp Vrishti) is offered to the deities, along with 56 varieties of food (56 Bhog) as a symbol of devotion and abundance.
The Spiritual Essence of Fasting During Holi has a spiritual dimension, as many devotees observe fasting during the festival. Fasting typically involves consuming simple food anukalp like fruits and dairy products, as devotees focus on their spiritual connection with the Divine.
Conclusion: In his discourse, HG Prashant Mukund Das reminded the devotees that while Holi is often seen as a celebration of colors, its deeper significance lies in its spiritual essence as per scriptures. It is a time to celebrate divine love, unity, and the victory of good over evil. The festival brings people together from all walks of life, allowing them to connect with each other in love and spirituality.
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