Sanatan Sanskriti offers many festivals that fill our lives with happiness and prosperity. One of these is Holi, also known as the festival of colours. Holi is eagerly awaited by people of all ages and walks of life. However, modernization and commercialization have distanced this festival from its traditional roots. Sant Shri Asharamji Bapu has played a pivotal role in eliminating harmful practices in the celebration of Holi, advocating for the Vedic way of celebrating with natural colours and pure intentions. This form of Holi fosters faith, love, and contributes to the holistic development of both individuals and society. Organic Holi colours provide numerous health benefits and enhance our lives with joy, spirituality, and mutual bonding.
Organic Holi colours : History and Legend
The tradition of playing Holi with colours dates back to ancient times. According to the scriptures, even Bhagwan Krishna celebrated Holi with colours, and this practice dates back to times before his era. This festival signifies the triumph of good over evil. One popular legend tells the story of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, who attempted to kill his devout little son Prahlad, a devotee of Bhagwan Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu’s sister, Holika, who was immune to fire, was enlisted to kill Prahlad by sitting with him in a burning pyre. Hiranyakashyap, egotistical and selfish, represents the demons in society, while Bhakt Prahlad embodies righteousness, always desiring ‘Sabka Mangal, Sabka Bhala’ (the welfare of all). However, Holika burned, while Prahlad, protected by his devotion, survived. Holi symbolizes this victory of faith and goodness. Over the years, it has become a symbol of unity, love, and brotherhood, transcending social differences.
Side Effects of Synthetic Holi Colours
Today because of vested commercial benefits and lack of awareness synthetic colours dominate the market.
While they are easily accessible, they pose significant risks to our health and the environment. Research shows these colours are hazardous to well-being. Some risks include:
- Environmental Impact: Chemical colours pollute water bodies, soil, and ecosystems.
- Toxicity: Many colours contain harmful chemicals like lead, mercury, and chromium, which can be absorbed through the skin, posing severe health risks, particularly for pregnant women.
- Eye Irritation: Contact with chemical colours can cause irritation, redness, or even temporary vision loss.
- Respiratory Problems: The fine particles of these colours can become airborne, leading to coughing, sneezing, or breathing difficulties.
- Cancer Risk: Prolonged exposure to certain chemicals, like lead, increases the risk of cancer.
- Skin Irritation and Allergies: Chemical colours can cause redness, itching, and other skin conditions.
Celebrating Festival with Organic Holi Colours
In today’s world, the festival of Holi is like a shower of happiness, where people of all ages and genders eagerly participate. However, to avoid the hazards of synthetic colours and protect families from their adverse effects, one should celebrate Holi with natural colours. These natural colours are not a new concept but have been part of Sanatan Sanskriti for ages. Modernization, globalization, and marketing strategies have overshadowed these traditional methods, replacing them with harmful alternatives. Fortunately, saints like Sant Shri Asharamji Bapu have emphasized the use of natural Holi colours, which not only enhance the joy of the festival but also provide spiritual and health benefits.
Organic Holi Colours : Vision of a Saint
Holi is a sacred festival that symbolizes the rich and glorious Indian culture, offering an opportunity to eliminate differences and express mutual love, trust, and goodwill. – Sant Shri Asharamji Bapu.
As Bapuji mentions, Holi is a festival that encourages good resolutions for mutual advancement. It is not meant to cause harm through the use of chemical or synthetic colours. Bapuji advocates celebrating “Vedic Holi” with natural colours, especially Palash flowers, which elevate both spiritual and physical well-being.
Holi is a festival where colours are used to strengthen bonds in society. Applying colours as tilak on the forehead or at the feet of elders symbolizes our devotion and love. Using pure, natural colours diminishes ego and fosters harmony within the community.
Palash: Holi colours from the Vedic period
Bapuji has mentioned in his discourses that Holi should be celebrated with the colours of Palash flowers. During Holi, the direct and intense rays of the sun fall on the Earth, which causes disturbances in the seven colours and elements. By applying the colours of Palash and Marigold flowers to each other during Holi and Dhulendi, we can balance the seven colours and elements in our bodies, gaining the strength to withstand the harsh sunlight.
Palash has been used as a natural colour since the Vedic age. Due to its medicinal and spiritual benefits, sages and saints have always recommended its use. Sant Shri Asharamji Ashram provide Palash Holi colours for public use, prepared using natural methods.
Saffron colour (Kesar) can be easily made from Palash flowers. Simply soak the flowers in water overnight. In the morning, use the saffron-coloured water as it is or boil it for a richer hue to celebrate Holi. This colour is considered the best for playing Holi and is also mentioned in ancient scriptures.
Astrologically, if someone gets covered in the colours of Holi, such as Kesuda or Palash, it is believed they are freed from Kaalsarp Yoga. This means they do not need to spend money on remedies for Kaalsarp Yoga or worry about planetary faults.
Other Organic Holi Colours : Natural Sources
Here are some steps to create different natural colours to celebrate the festival of Holi:
- Dry Green colour: Mix equal parts of henna (mehendi) powder and wheat or other grain flour. This is beneficial for both skin and hair.
- Dry Yellow colour: Combine turmeric with gram flour (besan), or dry Amaltas (Cassia Fistula) or marigold (genda) flowers in the shade to make a dry yellow colour.
- Wet Yellow colour: Boil 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder in 2 liters of water to create a liquid yellow colour, great for the skin and overall health.
- Red colour: Grind red sandalwood (Rakt Chandan) powder into fine particles. This colour has multiple positive skin benefits.
- Yellow Gulal: Mix 4 tablespoons of gram flour (besan) with 2 tablespoons of turmeric powder to create yellow gulal.
- Wet Yellow colour: Boil 2 tablespoons of turmeric powder in 2 liters of water for a skin-friendly yellow colour.
- Purple colour: Boil beetroot and crush it to extract a rich purple colour.
- Black colour: Soak Amla (Indian gooseberry) powder overnight in an iron vessel to obtain black colour.
- Red Gulal: Dry and crush red hibiscus (gudhal) flowers to make red gulal.
- Green colour: Use a paste made from spinach, coriander, or mint leaves mixed with water to create a green colour.
- Green Gulal: Dry and crush leaves of gulmohar or night-blooming jasmine (raat ki raani) to make green gulal.
- Brownish-Green Gulal: Mix henna (mehendi) powder with amla powder for a brownish-green gulal.
Organic Holi Colours : Health Benefits
Holi Colours from natural sources offer numerous health benefits, with Palash being one of the most prominent. According to Ayurveda, Palash is called Brahma Vriksha as it has medicinal properties that help balance Kapha and Pitta, support skin health, aid digestion, and purify the blood. It also enhances mental strength, willpower, and promotes healthy blood circulation and muscle health.
Health Tips & Precautions:
- After Holi, it is beneficial to follow a low-salt or salt-free diet for 15-20 days to improve overall health.
- Consuming roasted grams (known as ‘Hola’) during this period helps pacify disorders related to Kapha in the body.
- Eating 20-25 tender neem, 5-7 tulsi leaves, and chewing a black pepper every morning for a month promotes good health throughout the year.
- Avoid direct sunlight on the head to protect your hearing, vision, and memory.
Not just Celebrations with Holi Colours but a Lot more
The festival of colours is a testament to the foresight of our ancestors, fostering unity in society amidst its many diversities. While the vibrant hues of Holi bring joy and happiness to the heart, if caution, self-control, and discernment are not maintained, these same colours can lead to sorrow. Therefore, it is essential to approach this festival with mindfulness and care.
Building Relationships
As Bapuji explains, the word “Holi” in Hindi can be interpreted as “जो हो … ली… सो ‘होली” – meaning it’s a day to let go of grudges. Holi represents an opportunity to rebuild relationships by rising above the bitterness that may have developed. It is a time when people forgive, embrace each other with love, and meet in the spirit of harmony. By using natural colours, we can fill our hearts with purity and love, creating a society free from hatred and jealousy, where the motto is “sabka mangal, sabka bhala” (the well-being of all).
Good Resolutions
We live in a society where everyone is interconnected and dependent on one another. National development can only occur when we embrace resolutions for the betterment of all. Bapuji mentions that Holi is a festival of burning away our vices, addictions, and negative tendencies while embracing virtues. Holi is a life-giving force that rejuvenates our spiritual practice and spreads the message of love throughout society.
Bapuji advises us to be careful not to insult, slander, or harm anyone through arrogance or harshness. We must guard ourselves against circumstances that may “colour” us with the toxic hues of addiction. Instead, we should “colour” ourselves in the devotion to the Lord and the bliss of the self, where the Lord and his Saints dwell. This colour should be so fast that it never fades away.
Toxicants Polluting the Festival of Holi Colours
Holi is a festival of colours, love, and enthusiasm. However, in today’s era, the darker side has emerged due to Western influence and so-called modernization. Cases of harassment and inappropriate behavior, especially towards women and children, are on the rise under the pretext of applying colours. The phrase ‘Don’t mind, it’s Holi’ should never be misused to compromise anyone’s modesty. Additionally, vulgar and indecent songs are often played during the celebration, and even very young children are found indulging in drug use.
Government should take a action against rowdy behaviors during holi celebrations and use of toxic chemical colours.
Conclusion
Holi is a festival of colours with great significance. Its multifold benefits can be fully realized only when celebrated with natural, Vedic Holi colours. As Bapuji mentions, this festival offers an opportunity to forget past grudges and embrace one another with love and affection. It is a day to foster mutual bonding and brotherhood, which are essential for guiding our nation steadfastly on the path of development.
While some antisocial elements may try to tarnish the glory of this festival, protecting your family by using the right colours and making good resolutions can transform Holi into an occasion that enhances both spiritual and physical well-being. Government bodies should ban hazardous chemical colours, vulgar and indecent songs, and drug abuse, especially among the younger generation, during this time.
Know more:
