Happy Holi Celebrations

Holi is a Hindu festival of radiance and celebration of spring with colors that nourish one’s joyous moods and complements the function of respective elements in the atmosphere. The essence of Holi is liberation and breaking the barriers between adults and children, family members and friends, and the festivity opens up to each other. 

It is celebrated through out India, and in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Jamaica, British Guyana, Suriname and other places.   

Although Holi is part of the Hindu tradition, most Indians participate in it, it presents unity of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians and of course, Jains, Zoroastrians, Baha’i, Jews, Buddhist and native traditions

Legend has it, that Lord Krishna is believed to have complained to his mother about his dark complexion while Radha's had a lighter skin. Krishna's mother decided to apply color to Radha's face (Reverse Make up?) The celebrations officially usher in spring, the celebrated season of love.

Several years ago, my son, daughter and I were drenched in Holi colors at the Hindu Temple festivities and were driving home. At a stop light, people in others cars on either side stared at us and looked scared and drove off screeching on the green light... the three of us laughed and looked at each other…  it dawned on us that we looked bloody, green, yellow and mellow.......colors in our hair, face and clothes…

Prasad's daughter, Prasad Thotakura | Jasmina, Mike and Jeff Ghouse

My kids thoroughly enjoyed throwing the colors in liquid and dust forms on me, they loved it. I would also call it friendship festival as it removes inhibitions
.

The picture below reflects that sentiments - all colors coming together to create oneness, thus the phrase Vasudaiva Kutumbukum; the whole world is one family. Similar expressions are a staple in every faith.

Radiant Colors of Holi

Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna which usually falls in the later part of February or March.

Since 1993, I have been writing about every festival on the earth, have done a weekly Radio program called "Festivals of the world" and shared about each festival.  Make it simple enough that most people can get the essence of it. For Hindus there is lot more depth and meaning to it, but for the non-Hindus, this gives them an idea about the festival. It is a part of the Pluralism education, so we all can know each other and appreciate our own uniqueness. Each one of is a model of our own.

Happy Holi and please enjoy the songs;

From the movie Lagaan, Radha Kaisay na Jalay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwe7PwZqpLI

Another one that reflects unity -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NocV6jsegVY

Top ten Holi songs - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEkZddiPP7g&feature=related

Mike Ghouse is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, and cohesive societies.www.ProfessionalSpeakerMikeGhouse.com and current articles atwww.TheGhousediary.com

HAPPY HOLI, the India festival of colors and joy

http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/03/happy-holi-india-festival-of-colors-and.html

Radiant Colors of Holi

Holi is an Indian festival of radiance. It is a celebration of spring with colors that nourish one’s joyous moods and complements the function of respective elements in the atmosphere.

Legend has it, that Lord Krishna is believed to have complained to his mother about his dark complexion while Radha's had a lighter skin. Krishna's mother decided to apply color to Radha's face (Reverse Make up?) The celebrations officially usher in spring, the celebrated season of love.

The essence of Holi is liberation and breaking the barriers between adults and children, family members and friends, and the festivity opens up to each other.

Several years ago, my son, daughter and I were drenched in Holi colors at the Hindu Temple festivities and were driving home. At a stop light, people in others cars on either side stared at us and looked scared and drove off screeching on the green light... the three of us laughed and looked at each other…  it dawned on us that we looked bloody, green, yellow and mellow.......colors in our hair, face and clothes…

My kids thoroughly enjoyed throwing the colors in liquid and dust forms on me, they loved it. I would also call it friendship festival as it removes inhibitions.

Prasad's daughter, Prasad Thotakura | Jasmina, Mike and Jeff Ghouse

Wow, Happy Holi!

Although Holi is part of the Hindu tradition, most Indians participate in it, here is a song that reflects the unity of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians and of course, Jains, Zoroastrians, Baha’i, Jews, Buddhist and native traditions… also celebrate it.  Here is a Bollywood song to reflect that.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NocV6jsegVY

The picture below reflects that sentiments - all colors coming together to create oneness, thus the phrase Vasudaiva Kutumbukum; the whole world is one family. Similar expressions are a staple in every faith.

Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna which usually falls in the later part of February or March.

Since 1993, I have been writing about every festival on the earth, have done a weekly Radio program called "Festivals of the world" and shared about each festival.  Make it simple enough that most people can get the essence of it. For Hindus there is lot more depth and meaning to it, but for the non-Hindus, this gives them an idea about the festival. It is a part of the Pluralism education, so we all can know each other and appreciate our own uniqueness. Each one of is a model of our own.

Happy Holi and please enjoy the songs;

From the movie Lagaan, Radha Kaisay na Jalay - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmC86-uX7JE

Top ten Holi songs - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEkZddiPP7g&feature=related

Mike Ghouse is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, and cohesive societies. www.ProfessionalSpeakerMikeGhouse.com and current articles at www.TheGhousediary.com

Happy Holi, my personal story.

HAPPY HOLI, My personal story
Several years ago, my son, daughter and I were drenched in Holi colors at the Hindu Temple festivities and were driving home. At the stop light, the people in cars on either side stared at us and looked scared and took off screeching on the green light... then it dawned on us that we looked bloody, green, yellow and mellow.......

Wow, Happy Holi!

This festival breaks the barriers between people, between adults and children, family members and friends, and opens up to each other. My kids thoroughly enjoyed throwing the colors in liquid and dust forms on me, they loved it. I would also call it friendship festival as it removes inhibitions. The picture below reflects that sentiments - all colors coming together to create oneness, thus the phrase Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam; the whole world is one family. Similar expressions are a staple in every faith.

Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna which usually falls in the later part of February or March.

Legend has it that inn Vrindavan and Mathura, where Lord Krishna grew up, the festival is celebrated for 16 days. Krishna is believed to have complained to his mother about the contrast between his dark skin complexion and Radha's lighter skin complexion. Krishna's mother decided to apply color to Radha's face. The celebrations officially usher in spring, the celebrated season of love.

Holi is a festival of radiance in the universe. During this festival, different waves of radiance traverse the universe, thereby creating various colors that nourish and complement the function of respective elements in the atmosphere.

For the last 15 years, I have been writing about every festival on the earth, have done a weekly Radio program called "Festivals of the world" and shared about each festival. Make it simple enough that most people can get the essence of it. For Hindus there is lot more depth and meaning to it, but for the non-Hindus, this gives them an idea about the festival. It is a part of the Pluralism education, so we all can know each other and appreciate our own uniqueness. Each one of is a model of our own.

Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. His work is reflected in 4 websites and 27 Blogs at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Holli, Milaad, Purim and Black History

HAPPY HOLI, MILAAD, PURIM, BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATION
Friday, February 26, 2010 at 12:39am | Edit Note | Delete
Its full moon on Sunday February 28, 2010. Moon watching is reccomended. By the way, all these holidays are based on Lunar calendar; Milaad, Holi and Purim.

FULL MOON ON SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28


There is something special about full Moon. I have always enjoyed being in it, there is a serene energy that permeates one’s body.

SEASON FOR PEACE & NON VOILENCE

January through February is designated as the Season of Peace, where the messages of peace are floated on a daily basis. Usually it is the message of peace and non-violence practiced by Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King.

HOLI

Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna which usually falls in the later part of February or March.



In Vrindavan and Mathura, where Lord Krishna grew up, the festival is celebrated for 16 days. Krishna is believed to have complained to his mother about the contrast between his dark skin complexion and Radha's fair skin complexion. Krishna's mother decided to apply colour to Radha's face. The celebrations officially usher in spring, the celebrated season of love.

Holi is a festival of radiance in the universe. During this festival, different waves of radiance traverse the universe, thereby creating various colors that nourish and complement the function of respective elements in the atmosphere.

MILAAD

Milaad - Prophet Muhammad's birthday Celebrations. The life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is studded with examples of nurturing goodwill and mitigating conflicts; the essence of peace. He was called the Amin, the truthful, the trustworthy and Rahmatul Aalameen, a blessing for the entire humanity. He was a peace maker. I will be speaking on the topic on Saturday, February 27th

PURIM

Purim is a festival that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people of the ancient Persian Empire from Haman's plot to annihilate them, as recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther (Megillat Esther). According to the story, Haman cast lots to determine the day upon which to exterminate the Jews. Charity to the poor, sharing food with friends, and vigorous merrymaking mark the observance.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Black History Month Parade is a parade that celebrates the culture, heritage, history and accomplishments of Black Americans in the United States and across the World.

Black History Month is a remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. It is celebrated annually in the United States (US) and Canada in February and the United Kingdom in the month of October. To show they we treated unfairly.

The remembrance was founded in 1926 by United States historian Carter G. Woodson as "Negro History Week.