Dr Birbal Jha
India is a land of cultures and values wherein human life is woven with the pearls of festivals around the year for smooth, pleasant and recreational life. Holi is one of the festivals which is directly linked to environmental science, naturopathy and medication.
This festival of colours enters the cycle of seasons with winter fading and summer beginning to knock at the doors. Holi is a science in itself. Such a celebration makes the environment safe and habitable, reeking of a life style.
In older times or even now also, those people not taking a bath regularly during winter often develop some skin eruptions leading to even severe infections. Also unwanted particle accumulations on the human body happen. This needs rinsing out.
Allopathic treatment could be hard on the pocket besides being prone to side effects. So people prefer naturopathy involving mud or turmeric therapy. Also mud therapy is one of the best practice in yoga culture of curing diseases. It is flourishing now even in urban areas.
Naturopathy is more encouraged now in view of several side effects of allopathic medicines. Holi is said to be a preventive approach preparing the human body to be ready for exposure of harmful UV sunrays during summers.
The science of using natural colours like turmeric is to cleanse the body and remove unwanted accumulation on the skin. Turmeric is proved to have medicinal value more particularly for human skin.
However, being ignorant of the sensitivity and objective of Holi, many people use chemicals or chemically made colours to smear on the facial skin of their loved ones. This needs a check. We can’t think of our relatives of being badly affected by our ignorance while celebrating a festival.
There should be a motive behind every celebration. What needs to be taken into account is the philosophy, reasoning, rationality and responsibility behind a fest like Holi. On mythological perspective, Holika Dahan is a replica of burning the devil. It is a celebration of the safety of Prahlad, a devotee to God over the death of Holika, the devil.
Holi ensures cleanliness and sanitation around the human inhabitation. Bonfire is the aftermath of sanitation drive. The day follows for a cleansing body.
The science cannot be linked to any religion but it is for the sake of mankind. Many foreigners throng India not only to see it but to actively participate in such pious and scientific festival of this great country.
Society must reek of collectivism and democratic understanding. Living together and having a bonding relationship for humanity should, of course, be the objective.
Holi imports a lot in bringing people together as one cannot play and enjoy it alone. It has democratic values. It renews relationships. It gives a scope of reunions.”Bura naa maano Holi hai” is often echoed and enchanted which clearly suggests a message to bury the differences of past and look forward to amity and cordiality.