The Young Chronicle: For 2nd Graders March 7th, 2015 | Page 2

YOUNG CHRONICLE THE YOUNG CHRONICLE The Colours of Holi A festival of brightly coloured Gulaal, Pichkaris and water balloons Starting in the morning, everyone is covered in colours by noon! People tuck into gujiya, Malpua and Dahi Vada, Holi’s special dishes They hug each other and give special wishes. In Mathura and Vrindavan, the legends of Lord Krishna are staged All the pranks he played on the gopis are replayed! In olden days, Holi colours were prepared using Palash flowers and water pistols were made of bamboo People had as much fun as they presently do. On Holi eve, there are huge bonfires lit of leaves shed by winter trees This is done to make way for spring’s budding leaves Holi celebrates the fertility of the land and the arrival of spring. People wish for all the happiness this day can bring. The Story Behind Holi Rambo and Pranks enjoy playing Holi with colours and water, but they have always been curious on why Holi is celebrated. This time around, mumma decided to tell them the legend of Holi. Holi is celebrated as the victory of good over evil. Here is the legend, for you. Once upon a time, there was a demon king called Hiranyakashyap. Hiranyakashyap ruled over the Earth. Since he was such a big ruler, he grew egoistic and wanted everyone in his kingdom to worship only him. But his son, Prahlad, worshipped Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap tried hard to change his son’s mind, but he couldn’t. The king was very disappointed because of this, and tried to kill his son. But every time the king tried, Lord Vishnu would come and save Prahlad. Finally, King Hiranyakashyap asked his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her The festival of Holi surpasses all borders Because in Holi, there is a lot of fun in the chaos and disorder! Bura na maano, Holi hai! Read about the Legend of Holi, on Page 5 lap. Hiranyakashyap knew that Holika had a boon, whereby, she could enter the fire without getting burnt. So one day, Holika somehow made young Prahlad sit in her lap, and she herself took her seat in a blazing fire. The legend has it that Holika had to pay the price for her evilness, by her life. Holika was not aware that the boon worked only when she entered the fire alone. Prahlad, who kept chanting the name of Lord Vishnu, came out unharmed, because of his devotion. Thus, Holi derives its name from Holika, and is celebrated as a festival of victory of good over evil.