Why different days are celebrated in Phagupurni and Holi in the hills and Terai

Today (Sunday) Holi is being celebrated in the hilly region of the country. Holi is celebrated on the full moon day of Phagun Shukla Paksha along with the burning of Holika. But in the Terai region, even if Holika is burnt on the full moon day, it is customary to celebrate Holi the next day (Pratipada day).

According to Varaha Purana, Pat was-Vilasini, i.e. a game made of powders, is celebrated on the day of Phagun Shukla Purnima. Before that, let's dig into its mythological side.

Holi is a celebration of the victory of truth over untruth. This festival is celebrated in remembrance of the burning of the bonfire in favor of untruth. Holika Hiranyakashipu is the sister of the demon and Vishnu is the aunt of the devotee Prahlada. She had received the gift of burning fire from Brahma.

On the other hand, Prahlad, the son of Hiranyakashipu, was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. Despite his father's repeated reminders, he did not give up his devotion to Vishnu. He was the king of demons and the protector of Lord Vishnu. After taking the side of his opponent, Hiranyakashipu planned to kill Prahlad.

He had planned to kill Prahlada using his sister who had received a gift from Brahma. He had planned to burn Prahlad by setting him on fire along with Holika. But due to the power of Lord Vishnu, nothing happened to Prahlada, but Holika is believed to be burnt when trying to misuse it. It is believed that that day was the day of Phagun Shukla Purnima.

On the other hand, there is literary evidence that this festival was celebrated even in the Vedic period. At that time, this festival was called 'Navaneshti'. On this day, it is customary to burn half-ripe grains of the field and distribute them as offerings. This kind of food is called 'Hola', so it was celebrated as Holi.

This festival is also considered as a yajna performed on the occasion of the arrival of New Year and Vasantgam. Some people also celebrate this festival by worshiping the fire god. It is believed that Manu was born on this day.

Why are Phagupurni and Holi celebrated on different days?

Head of the Department of Central Department of Nepali History, Culture and Archeology, Prof. Dr. Madan Kumar Rimal says that celebrating Holi for two days in the hills and terai is of special importance. Rimal, who grew up in the Mithila culture, says that a special fair will be held on the day of Phagu Purnima in the Mithila region and thousands of people will be present there to celebrate Holi the next day. In Mithila culture, a special fair is held on every full moon day in temples including Janakpur.

Although the religious texts mention that Phagu Purni is celebrated only for one day, it has developed into an undisputed culture accepted by all. Nirnayasindhu, who decides on every festival celebrated under the Hindu religion, has also mentioned Holi as a one-day festival. On page 308 of the book, it is mentioned that it is customary to celebrate the full moon day on Phagupurni.

According to Rimal, there are two reasons for celebrating Holi on different days in Phagupurni in the hills and in the Terai. One may be that the practice of celebrating the next day is due to the pilgrimage. On the other hand, after burning Holi in the evening of the previous day, the Holi festival may have been celebrated the next day. He says that it may be more customary to celebrate the next day than to paint in the evening.

"Holi is a celebration of harmony between family and friends. The full moon day, which could not be celebrated due to the procession, was celebrated the next day with friends. This is how the culture of celebrating the next day has become in the Terai. ' Later, on this basis, the government started giving leave for two days, but it developed into a two-day festival. '

What to do in summer to prevent heartburn and acidity?

What to eat and what not to eat on hot days? Dehydration, gastric problems, abdominal pain, heartburn, or acidity increase during the summer. As the temperature rises, our body reacts differently. So we have to give up some food items on summer days. If you continue to eat certain foods during the summer, as at other times, your health may deteriorate.

You should cut back on soft drinks, soft drinks, dairy products, oily foods, red meat, milk tea, or coffee. Instead, you should eat things that make your stomach cold. For example, fresh fruits, cucumbers, soft water, etc. should be eaten in summer. On hot days you should increase your liquid diet. Foods that need to be reduced in summer.

Red meat

Red meat is high in protein and iron. It is difficult to digest on summer days. Eating red meat also raises body temperature, which is not good in summer. When eating red meat in summer, the body absorbs a lot of energy, so you should stay away from it as much as possible.

Cold drink

Everyone loves cold drinks in the summer. Many people drink soft drinks to escape the heat. Cold drinks increase the number of calories, as well as help the body to dehydrate. That said, drinking too much of it can have an effect. Therefore, it is better to pay more attention to natural beverages like juice and coconut water instead of cold drinks.

Smooth junk food

Even if you like greasy junk food, this season is not suitable for it. Oil can cause heartburn in summer. Eating such food on hot days can cause acidity and even skin problems.

Very spicy vegetables

There are many spicy foods in Nepali cuisine. But it is not suitable food for the summer season. In this season, it is better to eat a little chili, a little spice, and little fried vegetables instead of adding more spices, oil, and ghee to the vegetables.

Milk, tea, and coffee

There may be many who find milk tea sweet. But in summer, it is better to reduce milk tea for stomach health. Drinking milk tea in summer causes dehydration in the body. Besides, tea can cause stomach pain and acidity on hot days. Instead of milk tea or coffee, you can drink green tea, black tea, mint tea, etc.

Besides, it is advisable to reduce various dairy products in this season. If you do not consume such dairy products properly, you may have stomach problems. You can eat yogurt in the summer, but milk, cheese, cream, or butter are high in fat. This fat is difficult to digest, which can lead to gastric problems in summer.

Ignoring these foods on hot summer days can lead to stomach problems. If you are suffering from any disease, dietary decisions can be made after consulting a doctor.