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    HomeNewsPhotosIndiaStory time: Why festival of colours was named 'Holi'

    Story time: Why festival of colours was named 'Holi'

    March 21, 2017 / 18:01 IST
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    Once upon a time, there was a demon king called Hiranyakashyap, who ruled over earth
    Once upon a time, there was a demon king called Hiranyakashyap, who ruled over earth
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    He wanted all his subjects to worship him
    He wanted all his subjects to worship him
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    But to his disappointment, his own son Prahlad became a devotee of Lord Vishnu!
    But to his disappointment, his own son Prahlad became a devotee of Lord Vishnu!
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    This made Hiranyakashyap furious
    This made Hiranyakashyap furious
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    He tried to kill Prahlad by crushing him under an elephant's foot, and even throwing him off a cliff
    He tried to kill Prahlad by crushing him under an elephant's foot, and even throwing him off a cliff
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    But Vishnu protected the boy from all his father's attempts
    But Vishnu protected the boy from all his father's attempts
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    Frustrated, Hiranyakashyap finally turned to his sister Holika
    Frustrated, Hiranyakashyap finally turned to his sister Holika
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    Holika was blessed with a boon that allowed her to enter fire and come out unharmed
    Holika was blessed with a boon that allowed her to enter fire and come out unharmed
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    So she asked little Prahlad to sit on a pyre with her. But for the boon to work, Holika needed to enter the fire alone
    So she asked little Prahlad to sit on a pyre with her. But for the boon to work, Holika needed to enter the fire alone
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    Holika was burnt to ashes, while Prahlad - who had been chanting Vishnu's name - emerged unhurt!
    Holika was burnt to ashes, while Prahlad - who had been chanting Vishnu's name - emerged unhurt!
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    Thus, Holi marks the victory of good over evil, deriving its name from Holika
    Thus, Holi marks the victory of good over evil, deriving its name from Holika
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    Thus, Holi marks the victory of good over evil, deriving its name from Holika
    Tags: #Holi 2017 #Holika #Mythology
    first published: Mar 13, 2017 04:09 pm

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