The Night of Secret Sadhana (prayers) Holi is celebrated all over the world but it is seen in full splendour in Mathura and Vrindavan, India, as a tribute to the divine love of Radha and Krishna.
The day also holds special significance as Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared on this day and is considered an incarnation of Lord Krishna.
Holi will be celebrated on March 13 (holika dahan) and March 14 (appearance day of Shree Chaitanya Mahaprabhu).
On the night of Holi is a full moon, a night to do a secret sadhana (prayer) to achieve a particular aim.
Whatever your faith may be, utilise this night to the fullest by worshipping the Divine in the form of Jesus, Allah, Buddha, Krishna, Ram, Shiva, Shakti and other forms.
The Story Behind The Festival of Holi:
Once upon a time, there was an arrogant king called Hiranyakashyap, who resented his son Prahlad for worshipping Lord Vishnu.
In his bid to stop his son, he tried to kill him several times but failed in his efforts. Finally, he took the help of his sister Holika, who possessed a divine shawl that could protect her from the heat of fire.
Holika sat in fire with Prahlad on her lap, however due to the devotion of bhakt Prahlad to Lord Vishnu, the shawl was transferred to him. The result was that while Holika burned to death, Prahalad came out of the fire unhurt.
This is the reason why huge bonfires are burnt on the eve of Holi. This also symbolises the end of evil and the victory of good. There are many tips to improve your luck astrologically on this divine powerful night.
Here are a few below:
1. There are a handful of temples that have a bonfire on this day. In the afternoon or evening of March 13 one should cook a sweet dish made of jaggery. Another substitute for this is sweet rice. Offer a pinch of the sweet dish to the bonfire and then sprinkle a little water on it before it is ignited.
2. You should dress in a celebratory mood on this day.
3. This is another one of the days of the year where families should dine together. It will strengthen the family bond.
4. If you believe you are affected by negative energy or some black magic, then it will benefit you to follow the above ritual and you should go around the bonfire once in a clockwise direction.
5. Most important for the removal of bad eyes (nazar), take a little ashes after the bonfire has burnt down to your home, either on the same day or the next morning. Use the ash to put a tilak (dot). Thereafter, apply whenever it's required.
6. On any date between March 9 and 14, place powdered colour with devotion to your deity in your prayer room as a tilak or go to the temple to enjoy the holi festival in grandeur whichever date is the scheduled programme.
7. If you are playing holi with colours, then donate the clothes you were wearing once washed to the poor. This is a tip to decrease poverty.
8. Children must take blessings from their parents. If your parents are pensioners, elderly and you can afford, then give them a nice gift or some cash. This simple act can increase your prosperity.
9. There are many different types of prayers that you can do on this night. For example, to improve your finances, chant "Shreem" in front of a picture of mother Laksmi, two to threes hours after the moon has appeared.
10. March 9 holds one of the most significant ekadashi in the year. On this day millions of people visit the miracle temple known as “Khatu Shyam Ji”, which is devoted to Lord Krishna, to take darshan. This temple is situated near Jaipur.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE