Indian Devotees Burnt COVID-19 Effigies During Holi Celebrations

Harin - Mar 11, 2020

This year, there were at least two Indian communities decided to burn effigies representing COVID-19, as part of a ritual called “Holika Dahan.”

The festival of colors, Holi, is celebrated to mark the beginning of Spring. This year, the festival began from March 9 to March 10.

Holi Festival — The festival of colors, Holi, is celebrated to mark the beginning of Spring.

This year, there were at least two Indian communities decided to burn effigies representing COVID-19, as part of a ritual called “Holika Dahan.” The ritual happens on the first day of the festival and signals that good will defeat evil.

For Holika Dahan, people light bonfires, recreating Lord Vishnu’s victory over the demoness Holika. Holika wanted to lead one of the Hindu God’s followers into the fire. However, it was she who was burnt by the flame.

In an area of Mumbai, India, to perform “Holika Dahan,” residents built a giant, blue demon called “Coronasur” depicting the Coronavirus.

Holi Corona Virus Effigy — The giant, blue demon called “Coronasur” depicting the Coronavirus.

Another area also put into flame an effigy for Coronavirus.

Coronavirus Effigy — Another Coronavirus effigy.

The same thing happened in Ahmedabad, India where devotees went for a pink and green effigy. Both effigies had the same fate, burnt in the fire.

Coronavirus Effigy 2 — The pink and green effigy representing Covid-19.

In an interview with India Today, vendors in Guwahati said that this year’s Holi, they had only sold about 25% of their Holi merchandisers like water guns due to Covid-19 fears.

However, reports indicated that Holi festivities would still be carried out despite the COVID-19 outbreak.

At the moment, India has 62 confirmed cases of the contagious virus. The epidemic, which broke out from Wuhan, China, has spread to over 100 countries, infected more than 11,000 people and took at least 3,900 lives.