In Jainism, Holi is seen very differently from how it is seen in general Hindu society.

1. Does Holi have religious value in Jain Dharma?

• In Jain scriptures and tradition, Holi has no spiritual or religious importance.
• It is treated as a lokik / social festival, not a Jain dharmic festival like Paryushan, Ayambil Oli, Kartik Poonam, etc.

2. Jain story connected with Holi (as told in Jain texts)

Jain granths narrate a story explaining how this festival began:

• A woman named Holi (or Holika) had an immoral relationship and feared her maid, who knew the truth.
• Out of fear and attachment to her image, she burnt the innocent maid alive.
• Because of this sin, the maid was reborn as a Vyantar Devi (a celestial being of lower class) with special knowledge of her past life.
• Filled with anger and revenge, she spread disease and suffering in the town.
• People prayed and begged the unknown deva to show herself and state her wish so that the suffering would stop.
• The Devi appeared and revealed the entire story of Holi’s crime.
• As a condition to stop the calamity, she demanded:

- Every year, a figure of Holi should be made from wood and hay. - It must be burnt in a public fire. - People should dance, sing, go around the fire, and apply the ashes.

• Out of fear, people accepted and kept doing it every year, and slowly this practice spread and became known as the festival of Holi.

From this angle, Holi’s origin (in Jain telling) comes from violence, fear and revenge, not from dharmic joy.

3. Jain principles and Holi

Jain dharma is based on:

• Ahimsa (non‑violence)
• Aparigraha (non‑possessiveness; avoiding waste and show-off)
• Samyama (self‑control of mind, speech, and body)

Many common Holi practices go against these:

• Throwing water balloons, colours on animals, birds, unwilling people → violence / himsa.
• Drinking, intoxication, abusive language, teasing → Kashay (anger, pride, deceit, greed) and loss of self‑control.
• Huge wastage of water, food, wood, and money → against aparigraha.

So traditionally, serious Jain sadhus, sadhvis and many shravaks avoid Holi completely or keep it very minimal.

4. How should a Jain ideally see or observe Holi?

If you wish to live according to Jain values:

• Understand Holi as only a social festival, not a Jain religious one.
• Best: avoid:

- Hurting anyone with colours, water, or forced participation. - Night-long parties, loud music, intoxication, vulgar talk. - Burning large piles of wood unnecessarily (himsa + waste).

• If you still participate for social reasons, keep it:

- Simple, peaceful and mild (dry herbal colours, only with willing people). - Without alcohol, meat, eggs, or any form of violence. - With a spirit of friendship, forgiveness and maitri, not excitement and aggression.

Many Jains instead use such days to:

• Do prayer, svadhyaya (scripture study), pratikraman, chant navkar mantra.
• Practice maitri (friendliness) and kshama (forgiveness) towards all beings.

5. Summary

• Holi is not a Jain religious festival.
• Jain texts link its origin with a violent and sinful story, not a holy event.
• Living Jain dharma means minimizing or avoiding practices of Holi that cause himsa, waste, or loss of self‑control.
• If at all observed, it should be in a way that fully respects Ahimsa, Aparigraha and Maitri.