Festival of Colors: ‘Holi’

The ‘Holi’ festival has a cultural significance among various Hindu traditions of the Indian subcontinent. It is the festive day to end and rid oneself of past errors, to end conflicts by meeting others, a day to forget and forgive. It also has a religious purpose, symbolically signified by the legend of ‘Holika’. The night before ‘Holi’, bonfires are lit in a ceremony known as ‘Holika Dahan’ (burning of ‘Holika’), People gather near fires, sing and dance. The next day, ‘Holi’, also known as ‘Dhuli’ in Sanskrit, or ‘Dhulheti’, ‘Dhulandi’ or ‘Dhulendi’, is celebrated. Children and youth spray colored powder solutions (Gulaal) at each other, laugh and celebrate, while adults smear dry colored powder (Abir) on each other’s faces. Visitors to homes are first teased with colors, then served with Holi delicacies (such as Puranpoli, Dahi-bada and Gujia), desserts and drinks. After playing with colors, and cleaning up, people bathe, put on clean clothes, and visit friends and family.

Do you know each color used in Holi holds a significance as per ‘Vastu Shastra’? 

Color Energy:                        

According to the ancient Indian architecture science of ‘Vastu Shastra’, the energy emanated through colors is such that it has the potential to make a person’s life colorful with seven radiant colors. There are some universal principles that apply to all colors. Just as everything in this world is made up of the Five basic Elements of Nature (‘Panchbhootas’) the Fire, Earth, Water, Air and Space, all colors are primarily the shades of colors of these basic Five Elements.

According to ‘Vastu’, the world of colors is unique and influences each action of our lives. While some colors make you want to get out of your chair and do something, others make you lethargic and want you to nestle down and relax. Some colors are so vibrant and articulate that they speak to you, while some are very quiet and peaceful. There are also colors which motivate, inspire or influence you in a positive way, whereas there are others that create negative feelings in you. There are also some colors that emanate the desire for closeness, intimacy and love.

Yellow Color:                         

As per Vastu Green and Yellow create a sense of peace and well-being, and if you are playing ‘Holi’ with these colors, especially in the South-West ‘Vastu’ Zone, (the zone of relationships and skills) they foster interesting and open conversations between family and friends and can dispel loneliness and depression. 

Grey/ Tones of Blue & Light Red Colors:                      

According to the Vastu Shastra, there are colors with a sense of sharpness, wittiness, uniqueness, and intelligence, which are the inherent qualities. Use of these colors primarily in West ‘Vastu’ Zone/Direction can command respect without being overbearing. These colors are also recommended for creative studies, libraries and art galleries. Grey, shades/tones of blue and a few lighter shades of red fall in this category, as they facilitate the optimal performance from a relaxed mind.

Red/Purple/Light Orange Colors:                          

There are also colors that are romantic in nature, such as red, which according to Vastu is the cooler of love. So, if you play Holi with these colors in the North-North-West ‘Vastu’ Zone, or facing towards the North-North-West Zone, an intense relationship develops between you and others. Pink, purple and light orange coolers also fall in the category of romantic colors. 

Green/Brown & Earth Colors:                  

There are colors that impart a very refreshing and rejuvenating feeling in oneself. These colors include all the different shades of green, brown and other shades of warm earth coolers. When applied in the North-North-East Zone, (the ‘Vastu’ Zone of Healing), these colors facilitate better healing and immunity. So, all those, who love to play Holi with these colors should prefer playing it in the North-North-East ‘Vastu’ Zone of their homes or offices.

Therefore, celebrate and enjoy Holi this year in the Vastu way, to bring home more love, money, happiness, and prosperity, as well as learn about the positive and negative impacts of each color in your life.