1. Holi – the festival of Love and Joy
Safe HOLI Visit Us on www.awgp.org
email: gpmumbai@gmail.com
Holi, the exuberant festival of colour, is celebrated to rejoice the
advent of Spring.
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3. About us…
All World Gayatri Pariwar is an mission with its
headquarter at Shantikunj, Haridwar, India.
Founded by REVERED GURUDEV YUG RISHI PANDIT
SHRI RAM SHARMA ACHARYA
Spread across more than 100 countries.
Committed to cultural, ethical, moral & spiritual awakening
and national integration since last 80 years.
Associated with numerous social programs in Rural as well
as
Urban India for awakening universal consciousness, enhancing
Human Values & creating environmental awareness .
For details, please visit http://www.awgp.org.
Human values are most valuable. It is the main duty of every
conscientious man to protect it – P.P. Shri Ram Sharma Acharya
4. Creating Environmental Awareness
Gayatri Pariwar undertakes environmental projects & works
with school children and communities to create environmental
awareness.
The underlying realisation is that quot; each one of us is responsible for the
current worse state of environment in the country, and we can not wait
for someone else to solve it quot;.
Gayatri Pariwar’s programme instills a sense of responsibility in every
individual. It provides opportunities to students and communities to
understand and learn more about the quality of the environment and
use their findings to create or demand solutions.
The communities are thus empowered to make right choices and
decisions in the interest of the larger population. While children trigger the
whole process, they are joined by elders in taking up initiatives to preserve
and enhance the quality of environment.
5. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS ??
Each one of us! Each individual is accountable.
Each household, Each community, Each organization,
Each industry and Each Government is accountable.
Not only industrialization but also waste & garbage
during celebrations of Festivals are major contributors
to environmental hazards.
Under the global movement of environmental
protection, Gayatri Pariwar –Mumbai ( a mission
involved in promoting ecological activities) is striving
to foster the same among public.
6. There are many stories of the origin of Holi.
The most widely held belief is that Holi marks
the day when the devotee of lord Vishnu, Bakt
Prahlad, seated on the lap of demoness
Holika, was saved from the effect of the fire by
God and the demoness got burnt instead.
Other stories relate to the death of demon
Putana at the hands of lord Krishna and to the
burning of demoness Hoda by children. Some
link the festival with the worship of Karma,
God of pleasure and destiny.
It was Krishna, or, Krishn, the king of the
ancient city of Dwarka, who popularised the
tradition of Holi. The origin of the colorful and
frolicking tone of Holi lies in the boyhood of
Krishna. It all came up as part of his pranks, he
used to play with his boyhood mates of Gokul
and Vrindavan
7. Significance of Holi Festival
• Holi is a harvest celebration marking the climax of
spring. Bonfires are lit, marking both the end of
winter and the death of evil, and proceeds from
the seasonal harvest- grains, coconuts etc- offered
to the flames.
• The next day, dhuleti involves plenty of colour
throwing, prayer, fasting and feasting. People have
fun throwing coloured powder and colourful
water at each other, dancing and gambling over
cards. The Rajasthani and north Indian population
at Kankaria and Jamalpur in Ahmedabad celebrate
Holi in great style with folk dancing and colour
throwing.
8. HOLI SIGNIFIES
Holi heralds the arrival of Spring - the season of
hope and new beginnings and marks the
rekindling of the spirit of life.
Holi signifies burning of the Asuric (demonic)
tendencies in man
Celebrates an ultimate triumph of the 'good'
over the 'evil'.
Holi also means quot;sacrificequot;. Burn all the impurities of
the mind, such as egoism, vanity and lust, through the
fire of devotion and knowledge. Ignite cosmic love,
mercy, generosity, selflessness, truthfulness and purity
through the fire of Yogic practice. This is the real spirit
of Holi. Rise from the mire of stupidity and absurdity
and dive deep into the ocean of divinity.
9. Celebrating Holi ;
The Eco-friendly way
Festivals are occasions for
celebration. Everyone, irrespective
of religion or station has the right to
celebrate it in his or her way. We
must, therefore, be mindful that the
manner in which we celebrate the
occasion does not affect the right
of others to enjoy it.
The changing social ethos has cast
its influence on religion, and this is
reflected in the HOLI festivital
being observed in the city.
10. Nowadays, people are found indulging in all sorts of vices in
the name of the Holi festival. Some drink intoxicating liquor
like toddy and fall unconscious on the roads. They indulge in
obscene speech as a result of drinking. They lose respect for
their elders and masters. They waste their money in drink and
dice-play. These evils should be totally eradicated
Festivals like Holi have their own spiritual value. Apart from the
various amusements, they create faith in God if properly observed.
Hindu festivals always have a spiritual significance. They wean
man away from sensual pleasures and take him gradually to the
spiritual path and divine communion. People perform Havana and
offer to the gods the new grains that are harvested
11. Spiritual Insight of Holi
On such holy occasions there should be worship of God, Satsangs,
and Kirtan of the Lord's Names, not merely the sprinkling of
coloured water and lighting of bonfires. These functions are to be
considered most sacred and spent in devotional prayers, visiting holy
places, bathing in sacred waters, and Satsang with great souls.
Abundant charity should be done to the poor or for Noble cause .
Then only can Holi be said to have been properly celebrated.
Devotees of the Lord should remember His delightful pastimes on
such happy occasions.
12. SOCIAL Insight of Holi
The social element during Holi is the uniting or quot;embracingquot; of
the great and the small, of the rich and the poor. It is also the
uniting of equals. The festival teaches us to quot;let the dead bury the
deadquot;. We should forget the outgoing year's ill-feelings and begin
the new year with feelings of love, sympathy, co-operation and
equality with all. We should try to feel this oneness or unity with
the Self also.
13. Celebrating HOLI
The Eco-friendly way
Holi festival is one that symbolizes
harmony and brotherhood but it seems to
be losing its aesthetic value and
becoming more and more commercial as
the years go by.
There is a need to re-orient people’s
outlook towards festivals based on their
origin, significance & essence.
Mere awareness is insufficient. In today’s
world ruled by ‘Economics &
opportunism’, we need to ‘ACT’ quickly.
14. Synthetic Colours used in HOLI
Celebrations
Over the years, natural colours have been replaced by synthetic colours to the extent
that most Holi colours sold in the market are oxidized metals or industrial dyes
(like those for dyeing our clothing). Synthetic colours posed a health risk as they
use non-permitted agents like Rhodamine B, mica powder Methyl, Violet
,chalk powder and silica. Malachite green Auramine, besides sand, starch
and salts which cause eye irritation, skin allergies and respiratory problems.
All these are toxic and can result in anything from skin allergies to cancer, eye
irritation to blindness... and much morc..
15. It's time to Awaken
These chemicals can cause allergic reactions like
conjunctivitis, skin rash, sneezing and even blindness.
Moreover they are also toxic to other life forms when they
enter the ecosystem through soil and water.quot; The powdered
green that you get in the market is made from copper
sulphate and could cause temporary blindness.
16. Did you know that Holi can be fun and harmless if you
play with environment-friendly natural colors.
17. Natural and Safe Holi Colours
• Holi matches the riot of colours of spring
in full bloom and traditionally was
played by making colours from the
flowers blooming at that time and even
herbs etc. The fragrant natural colours
also had therapeutic value and were
beneficial for our skin and health. The
ingredients of Gulal were purposely
chosen for their emollient qualities which
were far from today’s toxic colours. In
Vrindavan Holi was and is still played
with actual flower petals chosen for their
fragrance and colour such as
rajnigandha and rose.
18. Playing Holi with flower petals the conventional way
Holi ke Rang, Phoolon ke Sangh!
These natural ways can be also as vibrant, with palatable aromas and
one doesn't mind a brush of chandan on one's face or henna powder
dumped on one's hair.
quot;All we need is an attitude correction and a heart for
the living.quot;
19. Gayatri Parivar Youth Group Mumbai -GPYGM has been
campaigning against toxic Holi colours and through
workshops and lectures has taught many students how to
make simple, cheap yet beautiful environment and human
friendly natural colours with which one can enjoy Holi.
It’s a wonderful experience to prepare natural colours from
different plants having colourful flowers or leaves
quot;Children should be encouraged to make natural colours out of
flowers like Hibiscus ,Chameli , amaltas, marigold or Gainda
Jacaranda flowers ,or vegetables like beet root , or Banana
leaves or using Heena , Turmeric , Chandan etc COULD BE
A UNIQUE BLEND. Gulal is made up of `tesu' or `palash'
(flame of the forest) s, They should be taught in schools so that
they know the importance of this activity
20. Natural colors , gulal uses vegetable dyes, & has good cosmetic
effect, they can be easily removed with a soft mop, makes skin feel
soft after a wash and is available in sandalwood, Jasmine, lemon,
grass jave, rose, fragrance etc
By Playing Holi the Vedic Way By using safe, natural colors
we not only save our skins but also help save our environment
and conserve our biodiversity. ...
21. Bhang- A narcotic drink made from hemp leaves, often consumed on Holi.
In the case of bhang-pushing, it should be realised that the
enhanced mental stimulation, hilarious laughter and high energy
lead to delusions, hallucinations, mental incapacitation, depression
and damages to the chromosomes that carry information in body
cells.
Information in the public realm has shown that cannabis sativa (
BHANG) adversely interferes with the male sex hormones,
testosterone, leading to malfunctions in the reproductive functions
of consumers. Use of bhang does injure the digestion and impair
appetite even when used moderately
22. Ethical & Moral Awakening
Gambling, Playing cards,
Alcohol, Bhang Consumption
Smoking, using
unparlimentary words or
language, abusive language,
vulgarity , in any form of
dance, songs etc , indulging in
hooliganism are the factors that
are blockages to joyable &
harmonious celebrations
23. Man wants relaxation and change after hard work. He needs
to be cheered when he is depressed on account of work and
anxieties. Festivals like Holi supply him with the real food
and tonic to restore his cheer and peace of mind if observed
in a pious way .
24. WHAT YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE?
When the Student is Ready The teacher Will Appear
Once the students are convinced
about the issues, they can actively
& aggressively campaign to
further spread awareness.
It is aptly said that quot;the child is
the father of a manquot;. They can
have their voices heard, anxieties
understood and concerns
translated into action for a cleaner
environment.
Being future citizens they should
shoulder the responsibility of
bringing about a positive change.
