Holi, the festival of colours is observed in a grand manner in India. However, many may not be aware of the traditional significance of this festival.

History of Holi

After Daksha-yagna, Shakti took the form of the daughter of the mountain king, Himavan as Parvati. Devoted to Lord Shiva from childhood, she performed a tough penance in order to marry the Greatest God, Shiva. Lord Shiva, however, was in the state of yoga as Dakshinamurti, imparting the knowledge of the Ultimate Truth to the sages Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana and Sanatkumara. In the meanwhile, the Devas were being harassed by the demons led by Surapadma, Simhamukha and Taraka. This was nothing but the curse incurred by the Devas for attending the Daksha-yagna. Surapadma had the boon that none other than the son of Shiva, could kill him. But Lord Shiva was teaching the path of Bliss to the sages and Parvati was in penance. The celestials were desperate for the solution and forcibly sent Kama Deva (Cupid) to induce lust for Parvati in the heart of God. Kama, whose arrows never failed, knew this was a doomed endeavour. But the distress of the Devas made him go to the abode of Lord Shiva and shoot an arrow. Kama has been vested with a power to induce lust in all creatures by Lord Shiva to ensure the process of procreation, so he had always been successful. But can that same power work on the One Who is beyond all principles, the One Who does not derive pleasure from anything external to Himself? 
The arrow of Kama failed! The Lord opened His third-eye ever so slightly. That very instant Kama was burnt down into a heap of ash. Unmoved, the Lord continued his elucidation to the sages! This incident of burning of Kama is called Kama-dahana or Holi. The form of God burning Kama is called Kama dahana murti and is one of the 25 Maheshvara Murtis. To commemorate the event of the burning of “Lust” by Lord Shiva, the Kamadahana or Holi bonfire is lit. As Kama's body was burnt, the ash settled over Lord Shiva. (The Kama dahana murti dhyana shloka states - bhasma uddhulita vigraham). After the bonfire is lit signifying Kamadahana during Holi, people apply powders on themselves and others remembering the victory over lust. To this day, people offer mango blossoms and sandalwood paste to Kamadeva to relieve him from his stinging burns on Holi.

Holi and Panguni Uttaram

The narrative of the Purana continues with the Devas realising their folly in trying to alter the course of God by force and guile. They begged for forgiveness from God and pleaded with Him to revive Kama. They further prayed that the Lord accept Parvati as His consort and put an end to their sufferings. The benevolent Lord accepted their prayers and married Parvati. On the day of the wedding, Kama was revived but made invisible to all except to his wife Rati, giving him the epithet Ananga. This day of the wedding of Parvati and Parameshvara is the kalyana vratam also known as panguni uttaram.

When is Holi celebrated?

Kamadahana festival is celebrated in the month of Phalgun Chaturdashi (mid Mar to mid Apr) .

See Also:

1. Holi Festival

2. kAmadahana mUrti

3. kalyANa vratam

4. dakshiNAmUrti

5. dakshayAga and vIrabhadra

6. 25 mAhEshvara mUrtisi