Phagwa/Holi
Each year in March, the Hindu community celebrates Phagwa or Holi, a sacred celebration. However, as with so many observances in the multi-ethnic, multi-religious society, Phagwa is observed by the general public. Celebrities dressed in white are sprayed with "abeer", a mixture of colorful dyes and water. Holi comes from the Sanskrit term Holika, which means "parched grains." While this celebration has somber religious importance as a process of cleansing to promote good health, the happy environment is created by the flinging of brilliant colored powder and liquid, as well as exuberant singing and dancing. Phagwa festivities may be seen all around Trinidad, and the enthusiastic participants will gladly ask you to join them!
The love narrative between two Hindu gods, Radha and Krishna, is claimed to have inspired the ritual of flinging vividly colored powder and water. Krishna is known for having brilliant blue skin, and tradition has it that he was disappointed that he didn't have the same light complexion as Radha. When he informed his mother about it, she recommended that instead of longing for fair skin, he should smear paint on Radha's skin so that they would both be colored; thus the Holi tradition of attempting to 'color' people as a symbol of affection. The powders' colors have symbolic implications. Blue is the color of Krishna, red is the color of love and fertility, green is the color of spring and fresh growth, and yellow is the color of turmeric.
