HOLI GRAND CELEBRATION - 4th MARCH 2026 - PRARTHANA

राधिकासहितं श्यामं होली-उल्लास-केलिनम्।
महारासे निमग्नं तं श्रीराधावल्लभं भजे॥
“I worship that dark-hued Śyāma (Kṛṣṇa), who is with Rādhikā, who delights in the playful joy of Holī, and who is immersed in the great Rāsa—Śrī Rādhā’s beloved.”
जय जय श्रीराधे

HOLI MAHOTSAVA PRARTHANA

होलीमहोत्सवप्रार्थना
होलीमहोत्सवे श्रेष्ठे सुगन्धरासमण्डले ।
प्रेमयुगलरूपं तं राधाकृष्णं नमाम्यहम् ॥
जय जय श्रीराधे

SRI DAMODARASHTAKAM

It is very auspicious to recite  SrI DAmodarAshtakam and pray for the blessings and  boundless grace of  SrI RAdhAkrishNa especially on  DeepAvali day.

(1)
namAmISvaram sac-cid-Ananda-rUpam
lasat-kuNdalam gokule bhrAjamAnam ।
yaSodAbhiyolUkhalAd dhAvamAnam
paramrushtamatyam tatodrutya gopyA ॥
(2)
rudantam muhur netra-yugmam mrujantam
karAmbhoja-yugmena sAtanka-netram ।
muhuh SvAsa-kampa-trirekhAnka-kantha 
sthita graivam damodaram bhakti-baddham ॥
(3)
itIdruk sva-leelAbhirAnanda-kuNde
sva-ghosham nimajjantamAkhyApayantam ।
tadIyeSitajneshu bhaktair jitatvam
punah prematastam satAvrutti vande ॥
(4)
varam deva moksham na mokshAvadhim vA
na cAnyam vruNe‘ham vareSAdapIha ।
idam te vapurnAtha gopAla-bAlam
sadA me manasyAvirAstAm kimanyaih ॥
(5)
idam te mukhAmbhojamayakta-neelair
vrutam kuntalaih snigdha-raktais ca gopyA ।
muhuscumbitam bimba-raktAdharam me
manasyAvirAstAmalam laksha-lAbhaih ॥
(6)
namo deva dAmodarAnanta vishNo
prasIda prabho duhkha-jAlAbdhi-magnam ।
krupA drushti vrushtyAtidInam batAnu
gruhANeSa mAmajnamedhyakshi-drSyah ॥
(7)
kuberAtmajau baddha-mUrtyaiva yadvat
tvayA mocitau bhakti-bhAjau krutau ca ।
tathA prema-bhaktim svakAm me prayaccha
na mokshe graho me‘sti damodareha॥
(8)
namaste‘stu dAmne sphurad-dIpti-dhAmne
tvadIyodarAyAtha viSvasya dhAmne ।
namo rAdhikAyai tvadIya-priyAyai
namo ‘nanta-leelAya devAya tubhyam ॥
जय जय  श्रीराधे  

HOLI CELEBRATIONS

The grand festival of Holi is connected with many incidents from the Scriptures.

Hiranyakasipu asked his sister Holika to take Prahlada in her  lap and enter a  huge ball of fire.  As Holika  had the boon that she would not be burnt by fire, Hiranyakasipu tried to kill his son Prahlada through her . But by divine intervention it did not work and Prahlada was saved while Holika died. In remembrance of this  Holika dahan (burning of Holika)  is done .

Krishna applied various colours on Radha and other  Gopis and  all of them enjoyed in  exalted ecstasy.

Ogress Putana  was killed by Krishna on this day.

This day  is also in relation to the episode of   Kamadeva being burnt by Siva while the former attempted to  disturb his meditation.

Ogress Dhundhi  gave a lot of trouble to children in the kingdom of Raghu .  The Children  drove her  away  by their pranks on this day.  Even today Children play many pranks and fling abuses during Holika dahan.

Holi represents joyful  play with colours and waters.

Let us remember the delightful plays of Radha and Krishna on this auspicious day.
Happy  Holi.

जय जय श्रीराधे  

DEEPAVALI - SOME MORE INFORMATION

Deepavali is referred to variedly  in the  Puranas and Dharma Sastras.

(1) A five day festival symbolising  victory over Narakasura, worship of  Mahalakshmi, victory of Vishnu over Bali and dice play and exchange of brotherly and sisterly affection. Bali Pratipada –Dhanteras.

(2) Naraka Caturdasi snanam  with oil bath  / apamarga twigs for those who fear Hell – Crushing of a bitter fruit called KarIt by foot - Performance of Yama tarpanam – Worshipping of Cows- Lighting of Lamp for avoidance of Naraka - Eating of 14 types of vegetables - In the evening lighting of lamps for the deities and decorating houses and public places

(3) On the evening of Caturdasi and Deepavali – lighting of firebrands in hand and show the way for the Pitrus who have come for Mahalaya back to their own worlds.

There are many other detailed  practices  which have been referred to in the scriptures.