India recently celebrated the Holi festival. There is a wonderful story to it. Holi marks the beginning of spring.
Once upon a time, there lived an evil king named Hiranyakashipu. His subjects hated him because he was cruel! Even his son Prahlada refused to worship him, and instead became a devotee of Lord Vishnu. With a red face full of anger, Hiranyakashipu tried to harm Prahlada many times but didn’t succeed.
Determined to finish his son, Hiranyakashipu turned to his sister Holika for help. Holika had the power of being immune to fire – she was fire-proof! So, she tricked Prahlada into sitting on a pyre (a type of big bonfire) with her. But due to her evil plan, her power was transferred to Prahlada. So, she was burned to ashes while Prahlada got her fire immunity!
To celebrate the victory of good over evil, people make a statue of Holika, fix her atop a bonfire, and set her on fire. The next day, people apply colored paint on each other and celebrate and relish delicious Holi special snacks!