Hindus the world over will be celebrating Phagwah or Holi on Sunday, 20th March, 2011. Regardless of the country you grew up in, once you're an East Indian with ties to India, you know what is Phagwah. As a child growing up in the villages, Phagwah is one of the most merriest of celebrations. For weeks before Phagwah rolls around, you made sure your mother prepare your white clothing, bought your 'play' gun to shot Abeer at your friends and family, got your Johnson Baby Powder and Abrack ready for the afternoon session. Boy! It was jolly joyful when you were the first one to spray Abeer at your relative's white clothing and left streaks of red marks. The glee ... the laughter ... But, that's a child's mind and a child likes to do fun things. Sprouting Abeer at people is fun.
Phagwah has deep spiritual and social significances that over the years many of us have overlooked or forgotten, particularly after we've moved away from our birth countries and adopted foreign countries as home. However, the meaning of Phagwah remains the same.
The celebration of Phagwah is a time when good-will, happiness, forgiveness and brotherhood reign supreme. It is a time when sharing and giving, merriment and laughter and felicitations take precedent over all else; a time to cleanse the body of ill feelings and other bad habits. Remember, with the celebration of Holi, only one thing triumphs and that is good.
So, as we're preparing to observe Phagwah 2011, let us resolve to treat each other with a measure of goodness and learn to share our richness with others unconditionally.
Come join us at the Sanaatan Dharma Mandir of New York to celebrate Phagwah 2011 at 114th Street in Richmond Hill.
Shubh Holi to all!
Lord Krishna playing Holi
(Online photo)
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