Holi is an important Sanatana Dharma (Hindu) festival celebrated during the full moon in February/March (Purnima Phaguna) at the end of the Indian winter months. The festivities last for four days.

The festival is widely celebrated in the northern states of India. Three days prior to 'Holi day '(Puno) the festival is celebrated by people drenching each other with water and brightly coloured powder. Lord Krishna is known to have played Holi by this method with the Gopi's (Cow herds). During this period Holi songs are sang about Lord Krishan and Radhika his childhood sweat heart. The drawing illustrates Lord Krishna playing Holi with the Gopi's.

On the actual Holi day (Puno) a community fire is lit to celebrate the sacrificeb of Holika who saved Prahalada a devotee of Lord Vishnu. (see 'The story of Prahalda" below. On this day, grains are roasted; people go around the fire offering prayers to cleanse themselves of evil thoughts. Coconuts and dry rice grains are thrown into the bonfire, when the coconuts are heated they are taken and eaten.

Numerous texts are referred to during the Holi festival; by far the most popular recited story is about Prahlada and his father the demon King Hiranyakasipu of Asura. The story of Prahlada teaches us that God is everywhere and that prayer is an important form of meditation to remain focused with good deeds in life.

The tale of Prahlada is contained in the Puranas (dating over 3500 years). There are 18 Puranas, each contain short imaginative stories that help to teach the values of Sanathana Dharma [Hinduism] i.e. the rights and wrongs of living. These tales are conveyed by word of mouth and are visually sculptured on temple walls.