Holi, a festival loved and celebrated by millions across the globe doesn't preach to be a religious one. Instead, it brings everyone together, irrespective of caste, creed, gender and race. Holi is celebrated by smearing colored powder on each others faces.

Holi has its roots linked to various legends. The most popular one says, there once lived a devil and powerful king, Hiranyakshyap who considered himself a god and wanted everybody to worship him. To his great ire, his son, Prahlad began to worship, Lord Vishnu. To get rid of his son, Hiranyakshyap asked his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap, as she had a boon to enter fire unscathed. Another legend says that one day, Krishna complained to his mother Yashoda about the injustice of nature which made Radha so fair and he so dark. To pacify the crying young Krishna, the doting mother asked him to go and colour Radha's face in whichever colour he wanted. In a mischievous mood, naughty Krishna heeded the advice of mother Yashoda and applied colour on her beloved Radha's face; Making her one like himself.

The beauty of Holi has crossed oceans and borders, inspiring festivals in other countries, which is celebrated using colors. In Florida, a festival called 'Life in Color' is celebrated. Such is the popularity of the festival that it had its own featured stage in the Ultra Music Festival. In Texas, a festival called 'Colorjam Color Music Festival' is celebrated. The festival is an improvised version of Holi; it is a blend of music and colors. South Africans celebrate on the 1st of May and call it 'Holi One'. It is held in Cape Town. The much popular Spanish party destination, Ibiza; celebrates the 'Holi Garden Festival'.

So, the festival of colors which is due next week has one aim. That, is to bring everyone together and forget all negativity. Holi is the celebration of the ultimate triumph of good over evil. May this holi bring peace and more happiness in everyone's life. And start preparing your water pistols and guns, better be ready, Holi is just around the corner. Happy Holi!!