Explosion of colour at Holi Festival

MBOMBELA – Last week the Nelspruit Shiva Vishnu Temple in Valencia erupted in a festival of colour when 50-odd people congregated to play with coloured powder.

However, it was not for one of the fun runs with which the practice has come to be associated, but for the Hindu festival that inspired it.

The organiser of the event, Beena Narotam, says Wednesday March 23 was the first time that Holi Festival was celebrated on such a scale at the local temple.

They lit a bonfire, made offerings and prayed. Playing with rang or gulal (coloured powder) has no religious significance, but traditionally forms part of Holi Festival.

Narotam explained she felt they needed to do it to teach Hindu children about the religion.

“The reality is that the schools our children attend are Christian-based. Nobody has a problem with them learning about other religions, but we also want them to know their own religion and festivals to know where they come from.”

However, Hindu children do not have something like Sunday school or Madressa to learn about their own religion at the temple.

Earlier this year, at the request and with the help of Aneshree Maharaj, Narotam decided to fill the gap and started offering small children spiritual lessons.

“Hinduism is so complex and scientific, we are starting with the basics. We play games and watch animated videos. It is interactive, and some parents attend too.”

As the little ones (she has about 25) were recently learning about the festival of Holi, Narotam considered it to be the perfect opportunity to introduce the practical experience and organised the celebration.

The festival of Holi is celebrated for the victory of good over evil. It is named after Holika, the sister of a proud and arrogant king called Hiranyakashipu, who ordered everyone to worship him instead of Lord Vishnu.

However, his son Prahlad was a devotee of Vishnu, and so the king tried to kill him. Because the devoted Prahlad was protected by Vishnu, each attempt failed.

Hiranyakashipu eventually turned to his sister Holika, who could not be burned by fire. She took the boy and sat in a huge bonfire. Prahlad was protected by Vishnu, but Holika burned in the fire for trying to harm him.

Burning a bonfire on Holi serves as a reminder for people to be good and faithful. Married women put offerings such as popcorn, flowers and nuts into the fire and pray for the health of their families.

Afterwards everyone has fun with the coloured powder.

“The colour has no religious significance,” Narotam explained. “In India, Holi coincides with the beginning of spring and playing with the pichkari was added just for fun.”

“We aim to create awareness of our culture and traditions as it has spread to mainstream culture. The Colour Run for CANSA must have come from Holi Festival.”

They are planning to organise similar celebrations for each of the major Hindu festivals.

• Narotam offers spiritual classes every alternate Friday at the temple. Enquiries: 083-408-5702.

• View more pictures: Holi Festival celebrated at the Nelspruit Shiva Vishnu Temple