Hindus celebrate Holi on April 6 at St Bartholomew's School in Newbury
Hindus in Newbury came together to celebrate the most colourful festival in their religious calendar.
On Saturday, April 6, nearly 140 people gathered at St Bartholomew's School to take part in festivities associated with Holi, an ancient event which marks the arrival of spring and signifies the victory of good over evil.
Holi is well-known around the world for the practice of free-for-all powder throwing, which sees participants cover themselves and each other in vibrant dashes of coloured powder.
The event at St Bart’s, which featured both powder throwing on school grounds and traditional cultural performances and food in one of the school halls, was organised by Hindus of Newbury, a locally-based Hindu social and cultural group.
Hindus of Newbury member Sanjeev Agarwala said: “People in attendance were unrecognisable in the end with colour smeared all over their faces.
“Weather being helpful it was one of most beautiful days and enjoyment was at its fullest.”
Holi is derived from the Hindu legend of the god Vishnu, his child devotee Prahlad, and Prahlad’s father King Hiranyakashipu.
The legend goes that Hiranyakashipu resented his son’s devotion to Vishnu and subjected him to a large manner of cruel punishments.
This culminated in Holika, a demoness and Prahlad’s aunt, trying to burn Prahlad alive. However, Vishnu saved Prahlad and vanquished both Hiranyakashipu and Holika.
Holi is named after Holika, and it signifies this victory of Prahlad’s devotion over Holika’s abuse of power.
Holi celebrations begin on the night before Holi day. Traditionally a bonfire is lit and foods such as grains and coconuts - which symbolise arrogance - are purified within the fire.
This is known as Holika Dahan (burning) where people gather, perform religious rituals in front of the bonfire, and pray that their internal evils be destroyed the way Holika was destroyed in the fire.
The colourful festivities on the following day honour Vishnu’s victory and celebrate the eternal and divine love of Radha and Krishna, the combined forms of the feminine and masculine realities of god.
