Pandit Rudranauth Sharma, General Secretary of the Guyana Pandits’ Council and spiritual head of the Radha Krishna Mandir

Phagwah, or Holi, is the Festival of Spring. The Festival of Phagwah commemorates the regeneration of Nature from her slumber. This unique festival found its way on these shores with the arrival of Hindus from India as indentured labourers.

Hindus, after traversing thousands of miles from India, brought to Guyana their many festivals, among which Phagwah has a special place. The significance of Phagwah is manifold. It is a time of gaiety, splendour and pomp; when nature is converted into a beautiful garden full of colours.

The religious aspect of Phagwah gives to mankind the reassurance that evildoers, perpetrators of unholy acts, architects of injustice, and those associated with such actions are inevitably doomed to failure and extinction.

In the story of Phagwah, there is evidence that the dark forces of evil were eventually conquered by the forces of truth. The symbol of the burning of Holika serves to reinforce the fact that no matter what, once our intentions and actions are malicious, the results will always remain destructive.

Sowing evil will result in degeneracy and decay. Wrongdoers will be punished in order for them to change.

This festival also commemorates the destruction of King Hiranyakashyapu, the father of Prahalad, who spared no pain at torturing his subjects and his son. His conceit was unparalleled and was the cause of his death.

Let us, like Prahalad, be disciples of the virtues of righteousness, courage, faith, determination, forthrightness and leadership. Prahalad stood for what was right, and in spite of the several tortures inflected upon him by his father, and the criminal attempts on his life, Prahalad rose triumphantly to be a living model of fearlessness and truth. Let us demonstrate love and cooperation. Let the true spirit of Phagwah prevail, let the beautiful coloured water be squirted on each other, and let us not smear each other with mud and other prohibited things.

Let us allow this festival to be a binding force among us Guyanese, stamp out differences, and spread the message of peace and goodwill which Holi brings.

On behalf of the Guyana Pandits’ Council, Hindu Parishad, Laxmi Sabha, Youth Organisation and the Management Committee of Radha Krishna Mandir, I extend Holi greetings to the entire nation.
May this festival of Phagwah serve to enrich our own individual lives, strengthen our society, and promote the happiness and wellbeing of our nation.
Happy Holi!