Kaufman in the News
Hindus putting the Holi in Holy Week
March 21, 2016
"Those of us in the world of interfaith dialogue always enjoy it when the sacred days of our various traditions align. It gives us even more to share. What we are experiencing right now is such a time with both the Hindu and Christian communities. It is rarer than rare, but during this time of Holy Week on the western Christian calendar Hindus are celebrating the festival of Holi.
Normally Holi happens at the end of winter prior to the equinox. For astronomical reasons that make my head hurt trying to comprehend, this year we observe it on Tuesday of Holy Week.
The story of Holi is quite different from Holy Week. One claims to be historical and the other mythological. But the message of faith, devotion and divine intervention are shared.
According to this very elaborate legend, both the evil king Hiranyakashipu and his sister Holika (where “Holi” obviously originates) despised the king’s son, Prahlad for his piety and wanted him destroyed. Holika tricked him into sitting with her in the center of a great fire. She had a cloak that protected her from the flames but it miraculously flew from her body and enveloped Prahlad. Holika, of course, was then consumed in the pyre. When his father then tried to do him in he as well met his own demise through the hands of the divine incarnation, Narasimha.
Many people in the west know about Holi as the festival of colors. Hindu communities all over the world enjoy this day attacking one another with colored powders and water. It’s quite the free for all. In India the revelry transcends religion as people from all faiths take to the streets armed with appropriate “weapons.”
So while Christians are coloring eggs this week Hindus are coloring people.
Besides these powder wars one of the most important devotional practices is to have a Homa, a ritual bonfire to commemorate the consumption of Holika. The West Michigan Hindu Temple will hold this consecrated ritual this evening (Tuesday) at 6:30. This event is open to all. Call (616) 454-5960 for more information." - Fred Stella, Pracharak ("Outreach Minister") for the West Michigan Hindu Temple, President of Interfaith Dialogue Association