In Pictures: How Holi Got Its Name

Here is the interesting story behind holi festival. (Network18 Creative)

Once upon a time, there was a demon king called Hiranyakashyap, who ruled over earth. (Network18 Creative)

He wanted all his subjects to worship him. (Network18 Creative)

But to his disappointment, his own son Prahlad became a devotee of Lord Vishnu! (Network18 Creative)

This made Hiranyakashyap furious. (Network18 Creative)

He tried to kill Prahlad by crushing him under elephant's foot, and throwing him off a cliff. (Network18 Creative)

But Vishnu protected the boy from all of his father's attempts. (Network18 Creative)

Frustrated, Hiranyakashyap finally turned to his sister Holika. (Network18 Creative)

Holika was blessed with boom that allowed her to enter fire and come out unharmed. (Network18 Creative)

So she asked little Prahlad to sit on a pyre with her. But for the boon to work, Holika needed to enter the fire alone. (Network18 Creative)

Holika was burnt to ashes, while Prahlad - who had been chanting Vishnu's name - emerged unhurt! (Network18 Creative)

Thus, Holi marks the victory of good over evil, deriving it's name from Holika. (Network18 Creative)