Holi ,as we commonly observe in today’s world has been limited to the festival of commercial engagements specially to the youth disorienting them from the civilizational heritage and culture.However we must remember that Holi apart from being the festival of colours quite intricately weaves the social fabric of Bharat Rastra with its folklores,traditions and rituals from various parts of the nation.The night before Holi is celebrated in the form of ‘ Holika Dahan’ in the northern states of Bharat carrying a rich legend of Holika and Prahlada.In the Southern Part of Bharat,this occasion is celebrated as ‘Kama Dahanam’ associated with the legend of Lord Shiva and Kamdeva.The Eastern Part of Bharat especially Bengal,Bihar ,Orissa and Assam celebrates ‘ Dol Purnima ‘ in grandeur and it also marks the abirbhav tithi of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu commonly known as Gauranga who is one of the greatest reformers and protector of Sanatana Dharma.As per the Chaitanya Charitamrita,Mahaprabhu took birth at Nadia,West Bengal on 18th February,1486 on the auspicious occasion of Phalgun Purnima which is also known as Gour Purnima.Since then Chaitanya Janma Jayanti is observed all over Bharat on this day of Dol Purnima.
Mahaprabhu’s life is very pertinent to present times especially when we highlight ‘Samajik Samrasata’- a powerful tool to encounter the rapid dharmic conversions from Sanatan to other Abrahamic faiths.Born at a time when entire Matribhoomi was ransacked by Islamic Invasions and forced conversions ,Gauranga clad in a dhoti with the tilak came up with the mahamantra – ‘Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare ,
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare’ uniting lakhs and lakhs of Hindus rising above caste,creed,colour and sex elevating the Vaishavite Movement to a socio-political and dharmic pedestal in front of the world.Today the seva of Iskcon and other bodies preaching the bhava of Gauranga is not limited to Bharat but has spread around through every nook and corner of the world
As Bharat and the entire world is witnessing the Resurgence of Sanatan,especially with the grand success of Mahakumbh 2025 recently, it is very important to focus on the Consolidation of the ‘Hindu ‘ identity transcending all boundaries of caste,creed ,sex walking along the path laid by Mahaprabhu and marching towards ‘ Param Vaibhav Vaibhavshali Vishwaguru Bharatvarsha.
-Vishal Ghosh, Researcher and Political Analyst
