Even after being a Hindu, the people of Bishnoi society, popular for utmost compassion and environmental protection, on the day of Holika Dahan, instead of celebrating the day of happiness, they celebrate it as a form of mourning.
Holika Dahan has a special significance in Hindu culture. People take part in this worship involving a variety of religious activities. On this auspicious day everyone starts the day with having a bath, then with all prayer arrangements sits before the idols made up of cow dung of Holika & Prahalad, facing east or north direction.
But for Bishnoi society it’s little different when it comes to Holika-Dehen
On the festival of colours Holi, Bishnoi society people don’t take food at night on that day & involve themselves in the mornings, moreover they feel right to have “Pahal” before Holika-Dahan.
The process goes like when Prahalad sits in the Holika’s lap (On top of the pyre is an effigy to signify Holika who tricked Prahalad into the fire), the mourning begins, basically they want to save Prahalad from burn, as mentioned in religious scriptures & people re following it & feels significant in their life.
Mentioned in scriptures, Prahalad was the renowned follower of Lord Vishnu & the originator of Bishnoi Society, Guru Jambheshwar also presumed as the incarnation of Lord Vishnu & Prahalad was Vishnu’s supreme devotee so Bishnoi people has conception of exerting pain for Prahlad during Holika-Dehen.
Doctor explained environmental concern behind Holi Celebration:
Guru Jambheshwar established a Kalash and made a Bishnoi cult by drinking holy “Pahal.
Bishnoi society people in congregations in temples perform prayers by uttering 120 words of Jambhoji recited by the sages of society & this activity is done by filling pure water in a blank pot which is used for performing havan & further offerings to members .
Saints offer holy water after recitation of Pahal-Mantra :
The Pahal Mantra is chanted after the recitation is completed. After which three-sips of water is given by the saints to the community members which is accepted by all the men and women of the society.
What literature exhibit:
If we consider the Jambhani literature, many of the followers of the Prahalad sect of that time are the people of today's Bishnoi society. Those who consider Lord Vishnu as their idol & they perform all their religious activities & prayers from time to time for so long.
What is the option for non-availability of Pahal?
Guru Jambheshwar had told those who do not take Pahal at home, they take holy water from the Pahal held in the temple and perform the related activities. On the other hand, if the people of Bishnoi community are in migration for business, even then it is allowed to make Pahal in their homes.
What is Holika-Dehen basically?
Holika-Dehen is basically a ritual performed on evening before the eve of Holi, near about sunset, the pyre is lit by priest and community members do worship sing hymns & mantras rendered by the priest & do parikramas (move in circle around anything) around the lit fire for having the blessings in life & removal of evil. People consider this prayer very significant which removes the negativity from their life.
Also Read : Who are Bishnois? What are the 29 principles given by Guru Jambheshwar? Know about their origin, foundation, teaching, spread & modification with time.