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The Holi bonfire prepared for burning, at a housing complex in Mumbai, India. The Hindu festival of Holi is a two day Spring festival of India.
The Holi bonfire is set up and ready to be lit, at a housing complex in Mumbai. The Hindu festival of Holi is a two day Spring festival of colours. On the full moon night 'Purnima' in February or March, a bonfire symbolises the burning of evil 'Holika', sister of demon king 'Hiranyakashyapu'. She tried to kill his son 'Prahlad' at his bidding, for not giving up on his devotion to 'Narayan', (Vishnu). As per legend, she enjoyed immunity from fire, and thus sat with 'Prahlad' in the fire, expecting only him to be killed. But Vishnu saves him and 'Holika' is burnt. Thus it is the victory of good over evil which is celebrated. On the following day, the main festival of colours is celebrated, by splashing of coloured powder and water on each other. With the rise in population and increasing number of celebrations in India, the pollution caused by the multitude of bonfires is a cause of concern.
Size: 6016px × 4016px
Location: Mumbai, India
Photo credit: © Sanjay Marathe / India Photo Stock / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: air, bonfire, burning, choti, colours, dahan, festival, festivals, fire, flames, hindu, holi, holika, india, indian, mumbai, pollutants, pollution, pyre, ready, rituals, sources