Thousands of people took part in the colourful Holi celebrations in Leicester yesterday, with two large events at Spinney Hill Park and Cossington Recreation Ground.
The festival which welcomes the arrival of spring, and the victory of good over evil is celebrated by Hindus throughout the world, in Leicester the celebrations have been taking place in Spinney Hill park since 1985.
The origins of the celebrations come from the story of Holika, the evil sister of demon Hiranyakashipu. Hiranyakashipu tried to make everyone worship him, but his son Prahlada, refused, and swore his devotion to Vishnu. According to the legend, Holika then tried to trick Prahlada into sitting on a pyre with her, because she had a fireproof cloak, but when the fire burned the cloak flew onto Prahlada, protecting him while Holika was killed. As such, the tale symbolises the classic victory of good over evil.
