Happy Holi to all those who celebrate. The following is for those who do not know about this festival.
Holi is a two-day Hindu festival. The first day is called Holika Dahan(bonfire). It symbolizes the victory of good and truth over evil and false. People get rid of their impurities, negative thoughts, habits, wrongdoings, etc., by giving these to fire. After getting rid of these bad qualities, people welcome new and good attributes.
Om Vishwani dev Savitar duritani parasuva
Yad bhadram tanna asuva
The Creator of the Universe, please remove all forms of vices and sorrows from us. Please give us those qualities that are good and noble.
ॐ विश्वानि देव सवितर्दुरितानि परासुव । यद् भद्रं तन्न आ सुव
हे सब सुखों के दाता ज्ञान के प्रकाशक सकल जगत के उत्पत्तिकर्ता एवं समग्र ऐश्वर्ययुक्त परमेश्वर! आप हमारे सम्पूर्ण दुर्गुणों, दुर्व्यसनों और दुखों को दूर कर दीजिए, और जो कल्याणकारक गुण, कर्म, स्वभाव, सुख और पदार्थ हैं, उसको हमें भलीभांति प्राप्त कराइये।
The second day is called Dulehti. On this day, people apply color on each other in the morning. They wear new or clean clothes in the evening, socialize, exchange sweets, etc. The application of varieties of colors on people makes them look similar. The differences in age, skin color, status, etc., disappear, and everyone looks the same, representing equality and unity. People only see the divine in each other.
Bharti Raizada