Things to remember: Many different stories connected to Holi, which originally was a fertility festival. Celebrates the downfall of Holika (and sometimes other evil female figures). In addition to the stories above (e.g., Holika burning in a fire, Krishna and the gopis, etc.), one tradition is that Holika ate a child a day, and a holy widow gathered children to curse Holika (the throwing of colored powders and liquids is a visual remnant of these curses). Celebration of arrival of (colorful) spring (at equinox) and triumph of good over evil. Saturnalia: reversal/obliteration of classes (ultimately, all have the same spiritual unity).
Things to remember: Many different stories connected to Holi, which originally was a fertility festival. Celebrates the downfall of Holika (and sometimes other evil female figures). In addition to the stories above (e.g., Holika burning in a fire, Krishna and the gopis, etc.), one tradition is that Holika ate a child a day, and a holy widow gathered children to curse Holika (the throwing of colored powders and liquids is a visual remnant of these curses). Celebration of arrival of (colorful) spring (at equinox) and triumph of good over evil. Saturnalia: reversal/obliteration of classes (ultimately, all have the same spiritual unity).