Celebrating the festival of colour
Celebrants converged in their numbers at the Protea Grounds in Northdale
on Saturday to celebrate the colourful Hindu festival of Holi. The atmosphere was full of festivity and fun as the festival made a welcome return after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid19 pandemic.
The popular festival, which was organised and hosted by the Midlands Hindu Society (MHS), heralds the commencement of Spring and celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is also seen as a new beginning where people can release all their inhibitions and start afresh.
Omika Seeth, the programme director, welcomed the participants and highlighted the history behind the festival. She said that the Holi festival began in India, but since Hindus have relocated to other countries, the festival is celebrated across the world.
“People play with colours on this day while wearing white clothes, because white reflects and scatters all the visible wavelengths of light,” she said.
The MHS began the festival with the performing of religious rituals and a prayer for internal evils to be destroyed. Thereafter, a dhall that symbolises Holika Dahanam, was burned in keeping with their culture.
Nalini Ramrethan, secretary of the MHS, explained the process for the burning of the dhall. “Rendered Holika Dahanam celebrates the legend Holika and Prahlad. Holika thought that she could use her boon (that fire cannot destroy her) to kill her nephew Prahlad and sat with him in the bonfire. However, she herself got burnt and Prahlad was saved”.
Members of the community who spoke to Public Eye, were overjoyed to attend the Holi festival after years of enforced cancellation because of the global pandemic.
Vaneshri Pillay said that the atmosphere at the event was something special. “It is quite an exciting atmosphere. I believe that a public gathering is important after so many years of Covid-19. It brings about unity in the community,” said Pillay.
Reshmika Budhoo said that it was really good to see people gathered in their masses. “It is really nice to see people coming out to celebrate their culture and heritage, especially considering the impact that Covid-19 has had over the past few years. It brings the community together and it is good to see people coming out to support the MHS. We are hoping that this can continue for years to come,” said Budhoo.