Families and children of all ages joined together at one of Bolton’s most well-established temples to celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of colour.
They came to the Shree Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple on Adelaide Street, just off St Helens Road in Deane on Sunday.
Temple member Seema Varsani explained the origins and meaning of the world famous festival.
She said: “Holi is the festival of colours celebrated by Hindus around the world to mark the start of the spring season and is therefore usually held in February/March.
“Devotees throw coloured powder which symbolises the colours of spring, light over darkness, good over evil!
“Massive bonfires are lit and known as Holika Dahan where Hindus remember a young devotee by the name of Prahlad whose Aunt, Holika, and his father, King Hiranyakashipu, made many attempts to stop Praladh worshipping Lord Vishnu.
“However, Prahlad was always saved by the Lord and it was Holika herself who died on the pyre of fire.”
The festival is celebrated every year across India and by Hindu communities all around the world including in many cities and towns in Britain .
Celebrations are marked by music, dancing and of course the playful throwing of brightly coloured powder to mark the beginning of spring.
The Shree Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan was one of several celebratory events to have been held around Bolton over the weekend.
Seema said: “Hindus of all ages came together from all neighbouring communities on a beautiful Sunday morning to take part in the festivities held on the temple grounds.
“The morning started with young children retelling the story of Holi to a vast audience in the temple.
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“Everyone then moved outside where a group of young female devotees showcased their extraordinary talent by playing the Marathi Drums.
“Devotees then took part in the throwing of coloured powder.
“The morning was full of joy, laughter and music, the affection between the community was apparent as devotees of all ages joined in.
She added: “The colourful images under the Spring sun certainly brought some excitement to this Hindu Swaminarayan temple that could easily have been in India rather than miles away in Bolton.”
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