Holi festival provides opportunity to improve your fortune

THE Holi festival is celebrated all over the world but with extra fanfare in Mathura and Vrindavan (towns in Uttar Pradesh, India) as a tribute for the divine love of Radha and Krishna.

Holi is expected to be celebrated with the same verve on March 1 this year.

There are a few legends associated with this festival.

The full moon on Holi night is considered the most opportune time to tap powerful cosmic energy. Whatever your religious belief, use this night in full by worshipping Jesus, Allah, Buddha, Krishna, Ram, Shiva, Shakti or other divinities.

History

There was once an arrogant king called Hiranakashyapa, who resented his son Prahlad for worshipping Lord Vishnu.

In an effort to stop his son’s worship, he tried to kill him on several occasions but failed. He eventually approached his sister, Holika, who possessed a divine shawl that protected her from a fire’s heat, to assist him with his wicked plan.

In response, Holika sat in a fire with Prahlad on her lap. However, due to the devotion of bhakt Prahlad to Lord Vishnu,

MAHESH BANG

the shawl was transferred to him from Holika. The result was that Holika burned to death and Prahalad emerged unhurt.

That is the reason huge bonfires are burnt on the eve of Holi all over India. Holika’s death also symbolised the end of evil and victory for good.

There are many ways to improve your fortune astrologically on this night. Here are some:

Some temples are making bonfires on this day, I suggest all join in the celebrations during the festival by lighting bonfires.

On Holi nights, it is better to cook a sweet dish made from jaggery (a dark brown sugar produced in India). Sweet rice could be used as an alternative.

Offer this sweet dish to the bonfire and sprinkle a little water on it before it is ignited.

Dress in celebration of the

day.

This is another day in the year where family should dine together. It will help to strengthen family bonds.

If you believe that you are being affected by negative energy or black magic, it would benefit you to practise the appropriate ritual – walk once around the bonfire in a clockwise direction.

The best way to remove the evil eye (nazar) that might have been set on you is by taking some ash, after the fire has burnt down, to your home on the same day or next morning. Use the ash as a tilak and you can use it as you like thereafter.

The next day (March 2), decorate the deity in your prayer place with coloured powder as a tilak or experience the Holi festival at a temple.

If you participate in this colourful festival, you should donate the clothes that you wore on the occasion, after it has been washed, to the poor.

This is a useful way to stave off poverty.

The festival also provides children with an opportunity to receive blessings from their parents.

If your parents are elderly, and you are able to afford it, give them a good gift or cash. This act of kindness could help you to prosper in life.

According to astrology, avoid purchasing new items a few days before Holi.

Wishing you well and a wonderful and colourful Holi.

Readers can send their name and surname, religion, date, place and time of birth and the advice they require to: Mahesh Bang, Tribune Herald, PO Box 47549, Greyville, 4023, or e-mail tribuneherald@inl.co.za or call him at: 083 659 2277 or 031 401 8888