To help the devout keep awake, stories or katha expounding the greatness of Shiva are organized, devotional hymns and songs sung and sacred texts recited. Holi is the festival of colors. People throw colored water or powder at one another to celebrate good harvest. At night bonfires are built to symbolize the destruction of evil demon Holika Raksha Bandhan is the festival of celebration of the love of a brother and sister. Sister ties Rakhi to brother for his protection from all evils in the coming year.
Boys give their sister a gift in return of their prayers to god for their brother s long life.
Krishna is believed to have been born at midnight, and hence all the celebrations begin at this hour. The image of the infant Krishna is bathed at midnight and is placed in a cradle, amist the blowing of conch shells and the ringing of bells. The place of pride in the jhanki is an idol of baby Krishna. Devotional songs and dances mark the celebration of this festive occasion all over Northern India. The state of Gujarat is the abode of Lord Krishna, his own land.