Holi, the festival of colours, is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm throughout India. In some places, some special pujas are performed during Holi festival. Devotees light the lamps in the night and worship Holika at anytime between afternoon and evening. There is not fault if you perform Holika Puja after taking meals. Before Holi puja, a demon called Dundha is pleased with chanting the puja sankalpam. Wood pieces and dried cow dung balls are kept at a place and set fire. This sacred bonfire is called Holikadahan in North India and Kamadahanam in South Indian states.
Slokam to recite during Holi Puja:
“Vanditasi surendrena brahmana shankarena cha
Athasthwam pahino devi bhoote bhootipradaa bhava”
Pradakshinam or circumambulation around the bonfire is done while chating the mantra.
Lakshmi Puja and Indra pooja are other sacred rituals performed on Holi festival or Falgun Purnima day. Falgun Purnima is also known as Mahalakshmi Jayanthi. Lord Krishna Puja is also observed during Holi especially in North Indian states like Orissa, Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Mahdya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Gujarat.
Dola Purnima or Dol Poornima is the auspicious day during Holi festival celebrations in Orissa. The celebrations of Dola Purnima are similar to that of Dol Purnima festival in Bengal. Dola Purnima 2010 date is February 28, 2010. In Orissa and Bengal, Holi celebrations will begin on Phagu Dasami and end on Phalgun Poornima or main Holi festival will be celebrated on the day after Dol Purnima.
During the celebrations of Dola Purnima, Dol Yatra or Dol Jatra is celebrated. The idols of Lord Krishna and Radha are carried out for procession and worshipped in a grand manner. The procession halts in front of every house and offered special bhog. On Dola Purnima day, Swing Festival is celebrated. This festival is mentioned as Basantotsab or Vasantotsav or Basant rithu festival in Puranic texts.
Phalguna masam or Falgun month is the 12th or last month as per traditional Telugu calendar. Falgun Month 2010 will start on February 15 and end on March 15, 2010 as per Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati and Marathi calendars. Falguna masam is the period when Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra or Purva Falguni Nakshatram falls during Purnima or Full Moon day.
The major or important festivals and auspicious days in Phalgun month are:
- Guru Moodam begins – February 15, 2010
- Chandra darshanam – February 15, 2010
- Sashti Vrat – February 20, 2010
- Ekadashi (Amalaki Ekadasi) – February 25, 2010 – Falguna Shukla Paksha Ekadashi
- Pradosha Vratam – February 26, 2010
- Kamadahanam – February 27, 2010
- Holi 2010 – February 28, 2010
- Pournami (Falguna Pournima) – February 28, 2010
- Madana Purnima or Vasanta Poornima – February 28, 2010
- Vasantotsavam – March 1, 2010 – Chootha Kusuma bhakshanam
- Lakshmi Jayanthi 2010 – March 1, 2010
- Sankashti or Sankatahara Chavithi – March 2, 2010
- Phalguna Krishna Paksha Ekadashi – March 11, 2010
- Shani Trayodashi – March 13, 2010
- Pradosham – March 13, 2010
- Masa Shivaratri – March 13, 2010
- Meena Sankranti – March 14, 2010
- Guru Moodama ends – March 14, 2010
- Krottha Amavasya – March 15, 2010 – Kottha Amavasya or Falguna Amavasya
- Somavathi Amavasya or Amasomavara vratham – March 15, 2010
Holi, also known as Holika, is the colourful Hindu festival celebrated on Falgun Purnima, the Full Moon day in Falgun Month. As Phalgun Purnima in 2010 starts on 28th February and continues even on March 1st, Holi date is February 28 in some places and some may celebrate the festival on March 1, 2010. Phalgun Purnima or Holi festival is celebrated as Phagu in Nepal.
Dhulandi Holi or Dulandi Holi or Dhuleti Holi, Lathmar Holi, Vasantotsavam or Basantotsav, Dol Jatra or Dol Purnima, Phagwa, Shimga, Ukkuli or Manjal Kuli, Rangoli, Rangula Panduga are some regional names of Holi.
Sri Lakshmi Jayanti, birthday of Goddess Sri Lakshmi Devi, consort of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu, is celebrated on Falguna Shukla paksha Pournami. Goddess Sri Maha Lakshmi is also called as Goddess of wealth. On this occasion devotees worship Goddess Laxmi devi with utmost devotion.
When is Sri Lakshmi Jayanthi in 2009?
In 2009, Sri Lakshmi Jayanthi (Falguna Purnima) falls on March 11, Wednesday. Phalgun Purnima is also celebrated as Holi (Holika), the colourful festival.
Birth of Goddess Sri Laxmi Devi:
Various Puranas and some other ancient religious scriptures describe the birth of Goddess Maha Laxmi. Some Hindu religious texts explain that Goddess Laxmi was the daughter of the great sage Maharshi Bhrigu, and was reborn during the churning of the Ocean.
The Story behind Ksheera Saagara Manthan (Churning of the Milky Ocean):
The story of Ksheera Saagara Manthanam (Samudra Manthan) tells the birth of Goddess Maha Lakshmi. When Lord Indra, the King of Gods, was riding on his elephant, sage Durvasa Maharshi presented him a special garland. But Lord Indra put that special flower garland on the trunk of his elephant. That elephant was irritated by the smell and crushed the garland with its foot. This enraged Durvasa Muni and he cursed the King of Gods, Indra, and all Gods that they all will lost their entire strength, energy, and fortune.
Goddess Sri Maha Laxmi – Consort of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu:
After that, Demons (Asuras / Rakshasas) attacked on the heaven and gained control over the Universe. Then, Lord Sri Maha Vishnu (Narayana) planned to deal with asuras in a diplomatic manner. Devas proposed asuras to help them in churning of the Milky Ocean and after obtaining ‘Amrith’ (nector), that will be shared. During the churning of the Milky Ocean, along with the Nector (Amrith) Goddess Lakshmi was also emerged whom Sri Maha Vishnu accepted as his consort.
