Happy Holika Dahan - Story of Holika and its Meaning

According to Bhaagvat Purana, a king named Hiranyakashyap, like many other demons and Asuras had the intense desire to become immortal. 

To fulfill this desire, he performed some hard Tapa or penances until he was granted a boon by Lord Brahmaa.

Having received that boon, he became extremely egotistic and ordered everyone in his kingdom to worship him. However, his son Prehlad refused to do so. He said none other than Ram* (the Almighty God), which is Omnipresent and all-pervading - prevalent in the earth, waters, and the sky is worthy of worship.

This made Hiranyakashyap extremely angry, and he made several attempts to kill Prehlad - his own son. 

But every time, he was miraculously saved.
After failing several attempts, King Hiranyakashayap called upon his sister Holika for help.

According to the story, Holika had a special cloak - a garment that prevented her from being harmed by fire.
She proposed that she will sit on a bonfire holding young Prahlad on her lap - assuming that she will not be harmed by the fire, while Prehlad will burn.

However, as the fire roared, the garment flew away from Holika and fell over Prahlad - covering him completely. Therefore, Holika was burnt to death, and Prehlad came out unharmed.

Like all other ancient Hindu stories - regardless of whether it is a true story or not -  it has a deeper, symbolic - metaphorical meaning.

Holika was a demon - with evil thoughts. 

But she was able to cover her evil intentions with her special cloak - the mask of goodness - a cover of charity with a smiling face and charming personality, which prevented her from the fire of people's anger. However, when she faced the fire of the test along with Prehlad, her cover was blown away. 

Everyone saw her real face, without the mask, and the goodness of Prehlad became obvious to all. 

She lost, and Prehlad came out unharmed.

We often see these kinds of scenarios in our life as well. 

Many people pretend to be genuinely good - to be saints - by hiding their real intentions behind the masks of sainthood and charity. They think that they cannot be harmed by anyone - because they are wearing that cloak - the mask of goodness - which will save them from the fire of people's anger. 

However, when the real Saints like Prehlad appear on the scene, the falsehood is blown away - and the Truth prevails. 

When we understand the hidden meanings and messages behind these stories, the celebration of these festivals makes more sense and beneficial to all.
                                           ' Rajan Sachdeva '
    * Sarveshu Ramtay iti Raamah
(That - which is prevalent everywhere - and in everyone, is called Rama)