Attending the Holi (throwing of the colours) festival at Bhaktivedanta Manor, Matthew was pleased to meet many residents from the Hendon constituency who were celebrating this important event in the Hindu calendar.
Holi is a fun-filled spring festival celebrated on the last full moon day of the month of Phalguna. Known as the ‘Festival of Colours’ it is celebrated by, amongst other things, throwing coloured powder and water at each other. The most common element – held the day before the full moon – involves the ritual kindling of a public bonfire which marks the time when the boy saint, Prahlad, was saved by the god Vishnu from a raging fire.
Matthew said, “Our constituency contains many different cultures and religions and it is fascinating to attend events such as this to see people take so much enjoyment out of celebrating their history. I chose not to take part in the throwing of the colour as I had another meeting to attend afterwards!”
Photo: Matthew is pictured with representatives from the Temple in their gardens.