Holi (Holika Dahan) Festival, Udaipur; the important Hindu festival of colours in March to usher in the spring, March-April (Phagun). It is connected with Saint Prince Prahlad, son of King Hiranyakashyap. Prahlad was a great worshipper of the god Ram, but his father, wanting to stop his son from uttering the God's name, attempted various ways of achieving this. Prahlad was given poison, he was hurled from a mountain, and asked to embrace a hot iron pillar, but each time the God came to the rescue of Prahlad. Ultimately, King Hiranyakashyap's sister, Holika, was asked to take Prahlad in her lap and burn him alive. Again, nothing happened to Prahlad, but Holika was burnt to ashes. This episode, where good prevails over evil, is remembered by the saying, "Ja Ko Rakhey Saiyo Mar Sake Nahi Koi" ("When God wants to protect someone, nobody can harm him"). During the Holi Festival, bonfires are lit as a symbolic re-enactment of the attempt to burn the hero, Prahlad. This is also the time when coloured powders and water are freely used to bombard revellers, when bhang (fermented marijuana juice) and asa (locally distilled liquor) are imbibed; and when both men and ladies are free to sing vulgar ditties as they please.

Holika Dahan: see HOLI FESTIVAL.

Holkars, the family name of an independent clan of the Maratha Confederacy (others - Sindhia and Panwar) which emerged after the first invasion of Mewar and Rajasthan. Eventually, they eventually came to rule Indore in Malwa, east of Mewar. Following the death of SHIVAJI, leader of what became Maharashtra State, this Maratha confederacy was formed with the Peshwa (chief minister) stationed in Poone (Poona). Soon Shivaji's nationalistic dream of freeing India from the yoke of foreigners was forgotten when Maratha clans, greedy for wealth and power, went their own ways. They invaded North India, grabbing land and extorting tribute money from the various rulers. The Holkars, a family name, are thought to have migrated from the northern Mathura district to the Deccan village of Hol (or Hal), the name being coupled with 'kar' ('an inhabitant of'). The family's founder, Malhar Rao Holkar, rose from peasant origins. In 1724 the Peshwa of the Maratha state, Baji Rao I gave him command of the Peshwa's army in Malwa. At Holkar's death (1766) he was virtual ruler of Malwa. The Holkar family rule continued, marked by disputes and abdications, until the state's end as a separate entity after Independence in 1947. See also MARATHAS.

Home Science College; Udaipur; in the city's western sector, near the University.

Honeymoon Point: see ABU, MOUNT.

Hora Magra, a large hill in Udaipur's southeastern sector; on its summit is Shiv Cave (a natural cave that contains a SHIV LINGA) and, at its northern foot, the suburb of Eklingpura.

Horse riding. 1. Kumbhalgarh, AODHI HOTEL (Tel: 4222). 2. Udaipur. SHIKARBADI HOTEL (Tel: 583 200); Pratap Country Inn (Tel: 583 138); and Ajit Safari (Tel: 529 449).

Horse, Camel and Jeep Safaris (Mewar and W Rajasthan), part of the Commercial Division of the MAHARANA MEWAR INSTITUTION TRUST.

horses. These noble animals have played an important role in Rajput history: in Mewar, horses were considered as a central military supply. Virtually from the start of recorded history, horses have been revered, and many a war was waged for a horse. So high was the esteem for a good horse, that it was once said: "There are three things you must not ask of a Rajput, his horse, his mistress, or his sword." The importance of horse in Mewar politics is made explicit in the following mythological account: Asapuri Devi (the tutelary deity of the Chauhans) was pleased with the Maharana, and gave him a kingdom. Then the Maharana entreated the goddess, "I have no horses." The goddess said, "On (such and such a day) the horses from a caravan will get loose and will come to you of their own accord." Afterwards, thirteen thousand horses were allowed to wander off to graze, and they came to the Maharana. Local sources often relate the rise to prominence of different clans to their possession of horses and their use in campaigns. The local historians have given vivid accounts of the different breeds of horses in the Khasa Tabela (royal stables). The most beloved horse in Mewar history was CHETAK, the gallant white stallion of Maharana PRATAP SINGH I (1572-1597). Another was Colonel James Tod's faithful steed, BAJRAJ, who was well loved by many, from Prince Jawan Singh who gifted the horse to Tod, to the grooms.

Hospitals (main), in Udaipur: Aravalli Hospital (Private); Ayurvedic Hospital; JK Hospital (Private and Specialised); Kalpana Nursing Home; Karamchari Rajkiya Bima Hospital/Dispensary; Madan Mohan Malviya Ayurdved Hospital and College; Maharana Bhopal General Hospital; Nature Cure Centre; Naryan Sewa Sansthan; Old Railway Station Hospital; Seth R.Yaksma Arogya Sadan T.B. Hospital, Bari; Soni Hospital (Private); Udaipur Hospital (Private); Udairalal Homeopathy Hospital; Veterinary Hospital.

Hostels, Udaipur. B.N. Girls' School Hostel and College Hostel for Boys; Charak Hostel; Girls Hostel (M.B. College); J.C. Bose Hostel (RCA); M.B. College Main Hostel (Group Hostel); Nehru Hostel; Rajasthan College of Agriculture (Group Hostels); R.N.T. Medical College hostels (Group Hostels); Social Welfare Girls Hostels; Vidya Bhawan Govindram Sakseriya Teacher's Training College; Western/Zonal Railway Training Centre (Group Hostel).