According to popular mythology, when the demon king Hiranyakashipu attempted to slay Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, his demoniac aunt Holika deceived him into sitting with her in a fire. However, Lord Vishnu emerged as Prahlad’s rescuer, but Holika perished in the fire. This holiday is observed to commemorate the departure of negativity and the entrance of positivity, and hence wishes conveying the same message are offered to close and dear ones.
