According to a legend ancient Indian that the story of Prahlada, a prince who worshipped Hindu god Vishnu. Prahlada's family disapproved of these beliefs and forced him to sit in the middle of a bonfire as punishment. But Vishnu intervened and Prahlada survived. The colored powder, called abir, and water, called gulal, used in Holi celebrations are meant to symbolize the flames of the fire and the beauty of spring.