Holi, the vibrant festival of colours, marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring, celebrated over two days in March. Known by various names across India, it's considered the second biggest Hindu festival after Diwali.
States celebrate Holi uniquely with colours, dance, and religious processions. This year, 'Holika dahan' will be on March 24 and the colour celebrations on March 25.
The festival's roots lie in the mythological tale of King Hiranyakashyap and his son Prahlad, who worshipped Lord Vishnu. Despite the king's attempts to harm Prahlad, he was protected, while Holika, who tried to burn him, perished instead. Holi also signifies the victory of good over evil, symbolised by lighting bonfires to eliminate negativity and spread positivity. Additionally, it's associated with Lord Krishna's playful celebrations in various regions like Barsana and Mathura, known for the lively Lathmar Holi.
Vibrant Holi celebrations in the UK
The UK joyfully embraces Holi, blending traditional customs with modern interpretations, a testament to the deep integration of Indian culture into British society. In collaboration with the National Trust, the Bournemouth Poole Christchurch (BPC) Indian community presents "Rang Barse," a Holi festival celebration at the iconic Corfe Castle in Dorset on March 23rd, from 12 to 5 pm. Speaking about the Holi event, Chairman of BPC Indian Community, Mr Ramesh Lal said, “Following the resounding success of last year's "Bollywood on the Beach" event, we are thrilled to announce our upcoming celebration of Holi. This event promises to be a vibrant and colourful experience, complete with music, dancing, food stalls, and Holi activities. Open to all and completely free to attend, our Holi festivities are expected to draw a diverse crowd. While the South West UK boasts a growing Indian community, we anticipate a majority attendance of approximately 2000 individuals, primarily from the local white population, alongside the 1300+ registered attendees.”
“The BPC Indian community group is a voluntary organisation working for community cohesion with various activities to develop and promote the Indian culture and heritage amongst the larger host community”, He added.
Shri Vallabh Nidhi UK has organised two vibrant events for the Holi and Chaitri Navratri celebrations. On March 24, 2024, festivities will take place at the Wembley Temple. Additionally, Leytonstone Temple will host Holi Puja and Pragatiya on the same day, followed by Dolutsav Khel Darshan on March 25, 2024.