OPINION | Vimal Korpal | Holi, the ‘Festival of Love’

Happy Holi, also known as Festival of Love.

It’s the month of  March and what a busy month already, we’ve shared the love with International Women’s Day, we’ve shared the love with a pint of Guinness for the early celebrations for St Patrick’s Day, and now we’re sharing the love with the ‘Festival of  Love’ for Holi.

I was lucky enough to go to the Shree Geeta Bhavan Mandir Hindu temple in Birmingham, and get a greater insight into the celebrations that take place.

There’s lots of energy, lots of sharing, laughter, good wishes and most importantly, lots of chasing and splashing people with colour.

There is also the sacred fire of Holi, which burns amidst the chanting of specific mantras, which are intended for the destruction of  demonic forces.

I asked a few of the attendees why they take part in Holi celebrations:

My journey through the temple:

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So what is Holi?
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Holi is the Hindu festival which signifies the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring. For many, it’s a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships, all done through splashing one another in colour. Essentially, spreading the colour of love.

The first day is known as Holika Dahan and the second as Rangwali Holi.

An ancient Hindu religious festival, it is also celebrated by Sikhs, Janins and Buddhists and has been adopted as a spring celebration of love, frolic, and colours.

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Vimal Korpal

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