Holi 2025: Why Do People Wear White? Here’s The Religious Belief Behind This – News18
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People often wear white to Holi celebrations. Read on to find out the religious beliefs behind this practice.
White clothing is believed to protect from Rahu’s negative influences during Holi.
Holi was celebrated on March 14 this year. If you noticed, most people wore white to mark the day. Since time immemorial people have been donning white outfits for Holi. But do you know why?
Religious Context
In many Hindu rituals, white is seen as a symbol of purity and detachment from worldly desires. The idea of wearing white is to cleanse oneself from impurities. This practice is also found in other religious practices, where it represents a form of spiritual renewal and a step closer to enlightenment.
According to religious beliefs, Rahu, a celestial body in Hindu astrology, becomes angry during Holi, which can cause negative influences on people’s behaviour. This includes things like falling into bad company, speaking harshly, and experiencing strained relationships with family members.
To protect oneself from the negative effects of Rahu’s fury, people wear white clothes during the Holi celebration. White clothing is thought to neutralise the negative energy and act as a protective shield, preventing people from succumbing to the harmful effects of Rahu’s anger. Essentially, it is believed that wearing white helps maintain peace, purity and harmony during the festivities.
Peace and Spiritual Connection
White is a colour that symbolises peace. In many religions, the act of wearing white is seen as a way to connect with a higher power and bring oneself closer to divine energy. It is considered a symbol of brotherhood, peace, happiness and prosperity.
Getting Rid of the Heat
Holi is celebrated at the beginning of the warmer season in India, and the weather starts to get hotter. White clothing is known to reflect sunlight rather than absorb it, which helps to keep the body cooler.
As Holi involves the use of vibrant colours, wearing white clothing makes these colours more visible and distinct, enhancing the fun and beauty of the celebrations.
Essentially, white is both a comfortable and an aesthetic choice during the festival, helping people stay cool and enjoy the colourful festivities.
- Location :
Delhi, India, India
