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.