Holi

Holi

Holi is a festival of colours. It is usually celebrated in the month of march which is phalgun according to Hindu calander. It is celebrated with gaiety in North India.

There are different stories associated with this festival. One story is about Bhakt Prahlada, who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu, a bitter enemy of Demons.Hiranyakashyap, the father of Prahlada was king of demons.His sister  Holika had a boon that even fire can’t burn her. So the king asked her to sit on a bonfire with Prahalad.  But in that attempt Holika got burnt and Prahlada was saved by the grace of god. The bonfire is said to be a symbol of Holika's death. the bonfire symbolises victory of goodness over evils.

Some others connect the colour festival to Rasalila of Lord Krishna with Gopikas.

The Holi day is full of fun and frolic. All men, women, boys, girls and children play together with colours & water. Children throw water filled balloons on each other. Even old people enjoy the festival. They use Abir and Gulal of different colours. Till noon the singing and dancing go on . Youngsters play till they are completely drenched in colour. Even dignitaries like ministers including the Prime Minister and the President take part in the fun.

The mirth is over by noon. After a rich meal of special dishes like ‘Gujia’, people go to meet their friends and relatives.

Enmity does not find a place. It is not only a festival of colours but also a festival of unity and friendship. All barriers like caste, creed, position, and language are forgotten and men and women enjoy the festival.

Refer the given composition to answer the following questions:

1. What type of festival is Holi?

(A) Festival of lights                        (B) Festival of colours

(C) Festival of brother and sister   (D) None of these

2. Usually in which month is Holi celebrated?

(A) Chaitra           (B) Vaisakh (C) Savan             (D) Phalgun

3. Usually in which month is Holi celebrated?

(A) January          (B) February        (C) March            (D) April

4. Prahlada was devotee of _______.

(A)Lord Krishna   (B) Lord Vishnu   (C) Lord Shiva     (D) Lord Ganesha

5. The bonfire symbolises victory of ________.

(A) Asuras                                         (B) Hiranyakashyap

(C) Holika                                         (D) goodness over evils

6. The colourful powder with which we play holi is known as _____.

(A) Sindur            (B) Gulal              (C) Greece           (D) Coal-ash

7. What do children play with?

(A) stone                                          (B) sand              

(C) Water filled balloons                 (D) None of these

8. It is the festival of not only colours but also of __________ and unity.

(A) Enmity           (B) Hostility         (C) Jokes              (D) Friendship

9. Who was the king of demons?

(A) Lord Vishnu   (B) Prahalad        (C) Lord Shiva     (D) Hiranyakashyap

10. Who was father of Bhakt Prahlada?

(A) Hiranyakashyap                         (B) Vishnu

(C) Krishna                                       (D) None of these

Answer keys
(1) (B); (2) (D); (3) (C); (4) (B); (5) (D); (6) (B); (7) (C); (8) (D); (9) (D); (10) (A)