From ancient battles to vibrant celebrations, India’s festivals embody the timeless dance between good and evil. Holi, Onam, and Bonderam: each festival paints a unique picture of triumph, unity, and the rich tapestry of cultural resilience. Join in the vivid tapestry of traditions where history and joy intertwine, reflecting a nation’s spirit in full colour. Nimisha Lakhia paints a colourful picture of a colourful festival.
India, through its timeless epochs, has stood as the crucible of conflict, a land where battles of both myth and history have left an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of its people. From the celestial clash of the Mahabharat to the very real conquests of emperors, the subcontinent has been a theatre where strategies were honed and victories celebrated, where the spoils of triumph were not only material but woven into the cultural fabric of the land.
Holi, one of India’s most exuberant and widely celebrated festivals, is not merely a riot of colours and festivity. It is deeply intertwined with ancient mythology, symbolising the perennial victory of good over evil. At the heart of this vibrant festival lies the poignant legend of Prahlad, a story that has shaped Holi’s essence as a celebration of faith, devotion, and the eventual triumph of righteousness.
Epitome of devotion
Prahlad, the son of the tyrant king Hiranyakashyap, stands as a symbol of unwavering belief in the divine. His story is a testament to the power of devotion that transcends fear and adversity. Despite being born into a family that defied and rejected the gods, Prahlad’s heart remained firmly devoted to Lord Vishnu.
This created a profound rift between him and his father, who sought to be worshipped as a god himself. Hiranyakashyap, enraged by his son’s steadfastness in worshipping Vishnu, subjected Prahlad to a series of brutal trials, each more lethal than the last. Yet, Prahlad’s faith was his armour, and no force—no matter how vicious—could bend his spirit.
The pivotal moment comes with Hiranyakashyap’s decision to invoke his sister Holika. Holika, endowed with a magical boon that rendered her immune to fire, was tasked with carrying Prahlad into the flames, hoping to incinerate his unyielding faith. However, as legend would have it, divine justice prevailed.
While Holika’s immunity failed her and she perished in the fire, Prahlad emerged untouched, protected by his devotion to Vishnu. This act of divine intervention not only secured Prahlad’s safety but also immortalised the victory of goodness over malevolence, devotion over tyranny, and faith over cruelty.
It is from Holika’s demise that the festival of Holi derives its name. Her death marked the destruction of evil and the safeguarding of virtue, a theme that echoes through the ages. The night before the festival begins, this myth is commemorated in the ritual of Holika Dahan, where large bonfires are lit to symbolise the burning away of evil. Communities gather to witness the flames, a moment that is both spiritual and symbolic, reinforcing the eternal truth that darkness cannot withstand the light of righteousness.
With the dawn of the next day, the sombre reflection on faith and sacrifice gives way to an explosion of joy and colour. The festival of Holi transforms into an exuberant celebration of life, renewal, and the vibrancy of human spirit. People of all ages and backgrounds come together to drench each other in colours, symbolising the breaking down of barriers—be they social, religious, or personal. The hues of Holi, bursting in reds, yellows, blues, and greens, signify the spectrum of life itself, a reminder that, just as nature renews itself in spring, so too can humanity find renewal after trials and hardships.
Holi is more than just a festival of colours; it is a reaffirmation of the undeniable truth that goodness, though often besieged by adversity, will ultimately prevail. This ancient legend of Prahlad and Holika speaks to the eternal human quest for justice and virtue, the triumph of moral fortitude in the face of overwhelming odds.
Across India, several temples witness the grandeur of Holi celebrations including the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, Sri Dwarkadhish Temple in Mathura, Radha Rani Temple in Barsana, Sri Krishna Math in Udupi, etc.
Cultural ethos
The Mahabharat, an epic of unmatched depth, tells the story of a war whose reverberations echo through the centuries. The Battle of Kurukshetra was not just a war of succession between the Pandavas and Kauravas; it was a cataclysm that shaped the moral and spiritual fabric of the subcontinent. The traditions that followed in its wake set the stage for a culture that venerates victory, celebrates sacrifice, and honours the indomitable spirit of warriors.
The story of Iravan, though overshadowed by the grandeur of the Mahabharat’s central characters, is a deeply moving narrative that resonates powerfully in the cultural consciousness of South India. His name may not be as widely recognised as Arjun, Bhima, or Krishna, yet Iravan’s sacrifice is immortalised in the hearts of the Tamil people, particularly within the Draupadi cult, where he is revered as Kuttantavar. His tale is a potent symbol of selflessness and devotion—an archetype of personal sacrifice for the collective good, a virtue that transcends time and finds deep relevance in Indian cultural traditions.
His sacrifice has left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of Tamil Nadu. The annual Koovagam festival, celebrated in Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, is a vivid re-enactment of this ancient story, where devotees gather for 18 days to honour Iravan’s memory. This festival, imbued with rituals and rites, is a unique homage to a hero who epitomised the theme of sacrifice. It’s a striking example of how local customs can elevate a character from the margins of myth into the focal point of living tradition.
Central to the festivities is the symbolic “marriage” of Iravan, where transgender women, known as Aravanis, symbolically wed the deity before ritually mourning his death. This union, a profound reflection of the multifaceted nature of devotion, showcases the inclusivity and adaptability of Indian spirituality, where personal identity intersects with divine narratives. Iravan’s story has thus become a beacon for the transgender community in South India, reflecting broader themes of identity, love, and sacrifice.
Generosity over greed
In Kerala, the festival of Onam paints yet another portrait of victory, one that is less about battle and more about the triumph of humility. The homecoming of King Mahabali, the beloved demon king who was sent to the underworld by Lord Vishnu in his Vamana avatar, is a celebration of benevolence over arrogance, of generosity over greed. The floral pookalam that adorns homes, the grand Onam sadya feast, and the vibrant vallamkali (boat races) are all tributes to the enduring legacy of a king who, despite his exile, is remembered for the prosperity and happiness he brought to his people.
Goa’s Bonderam festival, celebrated on the quaint island of Divar, stands as a vivid testament to the creative rebellion of a people against their colonial rulers. The name itself, derived from the Portuguese word “Bandeira,” meaning flag, speaks to its roots in a symbolic yet charged protest that took place during the 17th century when the Portuguese, in an attempt to bring order to land disputes among local villages, planted flags to demarcate boundaries. But the villagers of Divar, resilient and proud, found the solution more divisive than unifying. What followed was an iconic defiance—villagers would knock down the flags, challenging the imposed order in a spirited, almost mischievous, show of resistance.
Today, Bonderam transforms this historic confrontation into a celebration of unity and playfulness. The festival is a sight to behold, with the island’s peaceful landscape coming alive with colour and jubilation. Rival factions from different villages take part in this re-enactment, armed with bamboo sticks called “fotash” to gleefully topple each other’s flags, now symbols of friendly rivalry. The streets become a sea of floats, each one more elaborate than the last, adorned with traditional designs, while participants don vibrant costumes that reflect Goa’s rich cultural heritage.
Yet, Bonderam is more than just a reenactment. It’s a festival that draws people together, blending the fervour of competition with the warmth of community. The laughter of children, the rhythm of Goan folk music, and the echoing cheers from the crowd merge into an intoxicating atmosphere of joy. As the procession winds through the island’s narrow lanes, locals and visitors alike are swept into a celebration that is both a nod to history and a vibrant expression of modern Goan identity.
Nimisha Lakhia is a trainee with DraftCraft Media Network – an initiative of DraftCraft International – a platform for media students, experts, and professionals to quash populist trends and help create unbiased and independent news.