Holi, what we celebrate as the festival of colours also has a hidden meaning behind it. It is celebrated every year to remind us of the victory of good over evil by lighting a Holika Bonfire. The story behind celebrating Holi is a fascinating one.

Holi gets its name from Holika, demon king Hiranyakashyap’s sister who had got a boon from Lord Vishnu. This meant that he would not be killed by man or animal, at day or night, inside or outside, above or on the ground. Hiranyakashyap’s ego burned brighter than flames when he asked to be worshipped and not God, only to find that his son Prahlad continued to worship Lord Vishnu. This made Hiranyakashyap very angry and he ordered Prahlad to jump from a mountain, but he remained unhurt. Even when Hiranyakashyap made Prahlad jump in a well, tried to poison Prahlad, ordered that wild elephants should trample Prahlad, put in a room with poisonous and angry snakes; he remained unharmed. Finally, Hollka made Prahlad sit on a pyre with her while she was protected by a shawl that kept her from burning. The shawl flew from her to Prahlad, burning Holika and saving Prahlad. 

Lord Vishnu then appeared as a half-man, half-lion and killed Hiranyakashyap at dusk, on his porch steps.

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AS AN ADD ON LET US PREP YOU FOR THIS FESTIVE SEASON OF HOLI!

11 Holi Hacks That'll Make Sure Your Skin And Hair Remain Flawless 

Skin Care

1. Use each oil by itself or create a mixture and apply all over your face and neck.
* 2 TBSP Olive Oil
*1/2 TBSP Castor Oil
*1 TBSP Mustard Oil

(This will help get the color off easily when you're washing it off afterwards and will prevent dryness and any irritation your skin may experience because of harsh chemicals in the colours.)

2. Apply Olive Oil or Coconut Oil on your body, and even on your intimate body parts.
(The grease will help the colours wash off easily. Looking like an oily mess is better than looking like a technicoloured alien later.)

3. Apply a Dark coloured varnish on your finger and toenails.
(Nails are porous in nature and will absorb colour. Applying nail paint and smothering petroleum jelly prevent the colour from getting there and won't make your fingers look gross for weeks to come.)

4. Apply cold cream or petroleum jelly on areas surrounding your ear. 
(Prevention is better than cure of having red and purple ears and neck for a week after Holi.)

5. Apply Lip Balm generously.
(This helps avoid chapped and disgusting looking lips.)

6. If you have any open wounds or cuts, cover them with a band aid or two.
(Colours may react and cause your skin irritation or become worse.)

7. After the celebrations are over, give your skin a little love with a facepack or facemask.
(To rejuvenate your skin!)

Hair Care

8. Apply Coconut oil or Almond oil on your scalp along the length of your hair.
(The chemicals in the colours may damage your hair, making them dry and brittle, this will make sure your scalp doesn't itch and will prevent hair breakage and fall.)

9.  Tie your hair in a bun and fasten it with extra rubberbands if you have to.
(Holi is not the time for hairstyles.)

Other Precautions

10. Wear old and comfortable clothes that cover as much of the body as possible. 
(So you don't feel bad when you're tossing them in the bin.)

11. Don't wear contact lenses.
(Unless you don't want to make multiple trips to the eye doctor later, don't wear contacts.)

That's it! Have a funfilled Holi and Play Safe!

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Bhang on Holi: If You Must Have it, This is What You Should Know

Bhang Doesn’t Just Give You a High

While bhang may give you a high, it can be quite a downer as well. Some side effects include:

⦁ Paranoia (panic and fear)
⦁ Bad hallucinations
⦁ Lack of concentration
⦁ Lack of coordination
⦁ Short term memory problems

If You are STILL Going to Have Bhang...

• Don't drink on an empty stomach, unless you like puking your gut out.

• Don't mix it with other types of alcohol. Bhang by itself is more than enough.

• Don't drink it if you have heart disease, high blood pressure.

• Make sure you keep yourself well hydrated. Bhang can be dehydrating. On top of it, you are going to be out in the sun.

• Drinking bhang is much more powerful than consuming it in a brownie or a ladoo. So, limit your intake.

• Do not drink and drive

• Sleep. You’ll need it.
  
  
  

Or, just don’t have it. Have a happy and safe Holi.

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