By Radha Mohan das

On Sunday 4th March 2007 are the combined full moon festivals of Holi and Gaura Purnima at Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna temple in Aldenham near Watford. The festivities will include: a traditional bonfire at 7.30 pm and the throwing of Holi colours (coloured powders). Colours are showered on the people who merge into a multicoloured canvas. Throughout the day, The Manor will host traditional dramas and dance, music in front of the world famous beautiful shrine and devotees will be serving sumptuous free vegetarian food.

The bonfire is to remember the great saint named Prahlad who was taken into a huge blazing fire by Holika, by order of his demoniac father. However, by divine providence Prahlad was not burned. Prahad is the symbol of faith and purity. The fire also represents the burning away of all the impurities of, such as egoism, vanity and lust, through the fire of devotion and knowledge. It also ignites cosmic love, mercy, generosity, selflessness, truthfulness and purity.

The festival is also to remember the pastimes of Krishna for the light hearted and playful atmosphere of Holi. The young Krishna would run around and shower the villagers with colours but everyone loved Krishna so much, that soon their anger went away and their hearts melted like the recently departed snow.

This is also the celebration of the birth of Lord Chaitanya, who was considered an incarnation of Lord Krishna. He lived about 500 years ago and showed by example the highest emotion and sentiment of worship and love for Lord Krishna. He also was the first to start the congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, for which the Hare Krishna movement is famed.

For more information, please contact Radha Mohan das on
01923 856269 (w)
07818 815 978 (e) Radha.Mohan.BCS@pamho.net

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