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Holi

This clip explains why Hindu children throw paint and have bonfires at Holi, a spring festival, telling an old story and showing what the celebrations are like in Leicester.

Children often say that Holi is the most exciting Hindu festival because you get to throw paint at people. It鈥檚 a celebration for Spring and celebrates new life. There is an important religious message too. It鈥檚 about the victory of goodness over evil. Hindus remember the story of Prince Prahlad. His father, the king, wanted everyone in his kingdom to worship him (a mere human, and a big headed one!) Prahlad refused and worshiped the God Vishnu instead. The King鈥檚 sister Holika decided to destroy Prahlad for this. She tricked him into sitting with her on a bonfire. She had a magical fireproof sari so she thought she was safe. But when the flames leaped up, her sari flew from her to protected Prahlad instead. He came through the fire unharmed.
Guess how the festival is celebrated: big bonfires! The flames purify the air of anything evil. Fire is like a visible image of the power of the gods and goddesses. People throw offerings onto the bonfires such as popcorn, coconut and chick peas, showing thanks for the Spring and the growth of crops. Hindus teach that everything that grows comes from God, so being thankful for food is important. Holi is also known as the Festival of Colour.

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3 minutes

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