Guest guest Posted March 16, 2003 Report Share Posted March 16, 2003 Another legend traces back the origin of the festival to the story of the mighty King Hiranyakashyapu and his son Prahlad. Blinded by his ego, he ordered the people to worship him as God. His Son Prahlad, an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu defied his orders. He continued to worship Lord Vishnu with increased intensity. The infuriated King couldn't tolerate this insult and planned to kill Prahlad. All his efforts to kill Prahlad proved to be futile. The King decided to take the help of his sister Holika who was immune to fire. Holika cajoled Prahlad to sit on her lap in the fire. But Prahlad emerged unscathed from the fire while Holika was reduced to ashes. It is said that the bonfire commemorates the annihilation of Holika symbolizing the victory of the good over the evil. Legend-The death of Pootna-the demon Another legend goes with the celebration is the death of Pootna - the demon, who was sent to kill Lord Krishna. The demon did not succeed in harming the infant god but was him killed. The effigy of the demon is burnt as a bonfire during the full moon night before Holi, symbolizing the victory of the good over the evil. Pootna may also be a symbolic representation of the winter gloom, and burning of the effigy symbolizes the arrival of the new season. http://blessingsonthenet.com/temple/currfestival.asp?festivalid=F0079 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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