Holi 2025: When and who played the first Holi? Learn its mythological history

Holi 2025: Holi, the festival of colors and enthusiasm, is one of the oldest festivals in India. This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the country on the full moon date of Phalgun month. This year Holi will be celebrated on 14 March 2025. Although there is no certified information about the correct origin of Holi, but many mythological stories are prevalent behind it.
Holi is mentioned in the stories related to Hiranyakashyap and Prahlada, Holi with colors of Radha-Krishna, the story of Shiva-Parvati and Cupid, Putana Slaughter and Rakshasi fog. Come, let's know these mythology in detail.
Story of Hiranyakashyap and Prahlad
This story is most prevalent. Daityaraja Hiranyakashyap had received a boon of immortality from Brahma ji by doing harsh penance. He was a staunch opponent of Lord Vishnu, because Vishnu killed his brother Hiranyaksha. He banned Vishnu devotion in his kingdom, but his son Prahlada himself was an ardent devotee of Vishnu.
Hiranyakashyap made several attempts to kill Prahlad, but every time he survived. Finally, he ordered his sister Holika to sit in the fire with Prahlada in his lap, because he was a boon that the fire could not burn her. But Prahlad remained safe by Vishnu grace and Holika was burnt to consumed. Since then, there is a tradition of Holika Dahan on the night of Phalgun Purnima every year.
Holi of Radha-Krishna and Braj
Holi of Lord Krishna and Radha has special significance. According to a legend, Balakrishna asked his mother Yashoda why he belongs to Shyamvarna, while Radha is so fair. On this, Mata said that he can color Radha in her color. After this, Krishna went with his friends and drenched Radha and her friends in colors. Since then Holi is played with pomp in Vrindavan, Mathura and Barsana.
Pootana slaughter and Holi relation
When Kansa predicted that his sister Devaki's eighth son would kill him, he killed seven sons of Devaki before birth. But Lord Krishna survived alive and grew up at Nandababa in Gokul. Kansa sent a demon named Pootana to kill Balakrishna, who used to kill children through toxic breastfeeding. But Shri Krishna recognized him and killed him. It is believed that this incident took place on Phalgun Purnima, so this day began to be celebrated as Holi.
Story of Shiva-Parvati and Cupid
There is also a belief that Lord Shiva played the first Holi in the world. According to the legend, Lord Shiva was absorbed in deep penance. Then to get Goddess Parvati, Cupid tried to disturb her practice. Angry Shiva opened his third eye and Cupid was consumed. When his wife Rati pleaded with Shiva, he gave life to Kamadeva again. In this happiness, all the gods celebrated the festival by blowing up color, which later started being celebrated as Holi.
Tradition of demonic fog and Holi
According to another legend, during the reign of King Prithu, there was a demon called Dhundi, who used to make children their victims. But he was afraid of mischievous sports. On the day of Phalgun Purnima, the children unitedly created a ruckus, threw mud and burnt it and drove it away from the city. Since then, the tradition of Holika Dahan and Dhulivandan has been going on on this day.
Disclaimer- This article is based on mythology, JBT does not confirm it.