Holi, Holī: 11 definitions
Introduction:
Holi means something in Jainism, Prakrit, Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi, Hindi, Tamil. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Holī (होली) refers to an ancient Indian festival celebrated by both Jains and Hindus, according to the Holikāprabandha by Kṣamākalyāṇa (dealing with Festivals in Jain literature), which is included in the collection of manuscripts at the ‘Vincenzo Joppi’ library, collected by Luigi Pio Tessitori during his visit to Rajasthan between 1914 and 1919.—The purpose of the Holikā-prabandha is to promote clearly the Jain vision and practice of Holī against the traditional Hindu customs, which are regarded as unethical, (Cf. 12r12-14; for a modern expression of the same idea and Jain criticisms about Holi see J.e. cort, Jains in the World, oxford, 2001, pp. 180-181). The story of the previous birth of Holikā (see ed.) is not present here.
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
India history and geography
Holi is the name of a festival observed by the Lambadis; for the celebration of which money is collected in towns and villages. On the Holi day, the headman and his wife fast, and worship two images of mud, representing Kama (the Indian cupid) and his wife Rati. On the following morning, cooked food is offered to the images, which are then burnt. Men and women sing and dance, in separate groups, round the burning fire. On the third day, they again sing and dance, and dress themselves in gala attire. The men snatch the food which has been prepared by the women, and run away amid protests from the women, who sometimes chastise them.
Holī.—(EI 3, 5), the spring festival. Note: holī is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
Holi is the name of a Nepalese festival celebrated in February-March.—Nepal celebrates more than 50 festivals every year. Most religious festival dates are set by astrologers according to the lunar calendar, hence the dates are not fixed according to the Gregorian calendar.—Description of the Holi festival: This festival of colours marks the victory of Lord Vishnu over the demon Holika and Hiranyakashipu. Locals arm themselves with dry powdered paint, coloured water solutions, and water balloons to douse others in colour during the exhilarating celebration.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
hōḷī (होळी).—f (hōlikā S) The name of a Rakshasi to whom this festival is addressed. 2 The pile (of wood, grass &c.) arranged to be kindled at the close of the festival of the hōḷī. 2 The festival of the hōḷī, or the season of it. It is held at the approach of the vernal equinox. It is comprehended within the first day (or the fifth day) and the day of full moon of the month Phalgun. The term is applied also to the day of full moon of Phalgun, and to that of the month Magh. 3 Applied to the tree or stick which is planted or fixed in the centre of the pile. hōḷī karaṇēṃ To burn the hōḷī,--to kindle the pile and close the festival.
hōḷī (होळी).—f The Hindu-Saturnalia. The woodpile kindled at the festival. hōḷīcēṃ śimpaṇēṃ n The light rain falling about that time of the season.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Holī (होली):—[from holākā] See above under holākā.
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Hindi dictionary
Holī (होली):—(nf) a Hindu festival celebrated on the last day of the month of [phāguna] when coloured water is thrown on one another; —[khelanā] to throw coloured water (on); —[jalanā] to make a bonfire (of).
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Holi (ಹೊಲಿ):—
1) [verb] to fasten, join, repair with stitches; to stitch.
2) [verb] to operate upon with stitches; to sew.
3) [verb] to interweave three or more strands of (hair, straw, etc.); to braid.
--- OR ---
Holi (ಹೊಲಿ):—[noun] extra or additional quantity of grains or corns given or to be given at regular intervals, to a person for the use of grains or corns taken on loan.
--- OR ---
Hoḷi (ಹೊಳಿ):—[noun] a variety of wheat.
--- OR ---
Hōḷi (ಹೋಳಿ):—
1) [noun] a paramour of Manmatha, the love-God.
2) [noun] the spring festival at the approach of the vernal equinox.
3) [noun] the coloured water sprinkled on each other during this festival.
4) [noun] (fig.) the act of throwing (something on, away or out).
5) [noun] the flame of a fire.
6) [noun] that which is offered as oblation, sacrifice.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Tamil dictionary
Hōḷi (ஹோளி) noun < Hindustain hōlī < hōlā. See ஹோளிப்பண்டிகை. (பஞ்சாங்கம்). [holippandigai. (panchangam).]
Tamil is an ancient language of India from the Dravidian family spoken by roughly 250 million people mainly in southern India and Sri Lanka.
Nepali dictionary
Holī (होली):—n. 1. the spring festival in which participants throw colored water and powders over each other; 2. a type of indecent song sung before and during the Holi festival;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+11): Holi festival, Holi honne, Holi lakki, Holice Holakara, Holicem Shimpanem, Holici Kara, Holici Poli, Holigar, Holigarna arnottiana, Holigarna ferruginea, Holigarna grahamii, Holigarna helferi, Holigarna longifolia, Holigarna nigra, Holige, Holigerate, Holigevade, Holigeyamtra, Holihabba, Holihonne.
Full-text (+82): Holika, Vasantotsava, Holaka, Holippantikai, Holinirnaya, Pishtata, Madanotsava, Abira, Phaga, Abir, Ragacurna, Hola, Holihabba, Hori, Gulalagota, Navadata, Ganeshathapadi, Hutashani, Gulala, Dhuligucchaka.
Relevant text
Search found 49 books and stories containing Holi, Hoḷi, Holī, Hōḷī, Hōḷi, Haoli; (plurals include: Holis, Hoḷis, Holīs, Hōḷīs, Hōḷis, Haolis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 362 < [Hindi-Bengali-English Volume 2]
Page 406 < [Hindi-Sindhi-English Volume 3]
Page 24 < [Hindi-Sindhi-English Volume 3]
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (MDPI)
The Fire and Explosion Hazard of Coloured Powders Used during the Holi Festival < [Volume 18, Issue 21 (2021)]
Elevated Black Carbon Concentrations and Atmospheric Pollution around... < [Volume 15, Issue 11 (2018)]
Personal Growth and Life Satisfaction during Fertility Treatment—A... < [Volume 20, Issue 3 (2023)]
Festivals and Ceremonies of the Nepalese of Assam (by Monmi Kakati)
Part 5.1.5 - Sitkalin Utsav (winter festival) and Holi < [Chapter 3 - Festivals of the Nepalese of Assam]
Part 5.1.4b - The autumn festival of Tihar < [Chapter 3 - Festivals of the Nepalese of Assam]
Part 5.2.2 - The Baisakhe Purnima festival < [Chapter 3 - Festivals of the Nepalese of Assam]
Vratas depicted in the Gangajala (study) (by Maitreyee Goswami)
Chaitanya Bhagavata (by Bhumipati Dāsa)
Verse 1.1.34 < [Chapter 1 - Summary of Lord Gaura’s Pastimes]
Verse 1.1.25 < [Chapter 1 - Summary of Lord Gaura’s Pastimes]
Verse 2.9.73 < [Chapter 9 - The Lord’s Twenty-One Hour Ecstasy and Descriptions of Śrīdhara and Other Devotees’ Characteristics]
Sanskrit Words In Southeast Asian Languages (by Satya Vrat Shastri)
Page 530 < [Sanskrit words in the Southeast Asian Languages]
Related products
