Hindu mythology stories
Holi is also associated with various Hindu mythology stories, and one of the most popular is the tale of Holika and Prahlad. Prahlad, a devout follower of Lord Vishnu, was persecuted by his father, Hiranyakashipu, who considered himself a god. Holika, Hiranyakashipu's sister, had a boon that made her immune to fire. Hiranyakashipu ordered Holika to sit with Prahlad in a pyre so that his son would be killed. However, due to Prahlad's unwavering devotion to Vishnu, he emerged unharmed while Holika was consumed by the flames because her intentions were evil. This event signifies the victory of devotion and good over evil. Holi is celebrated to commemorate this triumph, with the bonfire known as "Holika Dahan" marking the burning of evil forces. The color and water fight comes from the legend of Lord Krishna, a Hindu god who is also worshipped on Holi. According to the mythological stories, Krishna was well-known for playing pranks and being mischievous. One prank he played on the village girls involved throwing colors and water on them. Over time, putting colors and throwing water one each other on Holi became representative of a traditional way to express joy.