Observed for centuries, Holi, the festival of colour, was celebrated yesterday as it saw Hindu-led communities create bonfires and cover each other in rainbow-hued powder to commemorate the beginning of spring - and the victory of good over evil.
Also celebrating fertility, colour, love, and the triumph of good over evil, the origins of the centuries-old festival can be found in various legends in Hindu mythology, one of which tells the story of a demon, Holika, and her brother, King Hiranyakashipu. Some Hindus who observe the festival, also smear themselves with ashes from the fire, as a symbol of purification.
Another legend of Holi tells the tale of the love shared between the Hindu deities Radha and Krishna, who is frequently depicted with blue skin. It explains how Krishna fell in love with Radha but was concerned their difference in skin colour would keep them apart.
Krishna's concerned mother was said to have encouraged him to smear a brightly coloured powder on Radha's face. After which, Radha would then return Krishna's love before they then married.
It is said that lovers have continued this tradition ever since, painting their faces the same colour in celebration of Holi and their love. Beginning with Holika Dahan, the ritual burning of pyres that take place the night before, this tradition – with the oldest account being commemorated as far back as the 4th century, it celebrated around the world, but predominantly occurs in India and Nepal as people throw coloured powder into the air, smearing it on each other while dancing to music.
At one Holi festival commemoration, at Chelmsford Hindu Society, in Essex in the UK, where the sixth year Holi was celebrated, its chair and trustee, Smita Rajesh, said: "It was fantastic and so much bigger and better than ever.
"Whilst celebrating unity and togetherness, Holi is about celebrating spring and the colour it brings with it. We have diversity in the city, so this is about getting everyone under a single roof and getting to know each other's cultures - and be more toleran!."
