March 29, 2022 at 10:17AM

Day 3486: Holi Celebration

Holi is a famous festival of colour in Southeast Asia. It's a colourful festival, with dancing, singing, and throwing of powder paint and coloured water. Holi marks the arrival of spring and the end of winter. It is usually celebrated in March.

In Kathmandu valley, Nepal this festival is celebrated as ‘Holi Punhi’ for a longer period of time, especially in Bhaktapur during the period between the Cir Swaegu day and the full-moon day. Some people go in processions around the city and throw abhir, a red powder.

There are several legends that are believed to contribute to the meaning of the festival, but there are two in particular that are thought to be the most popular - each one celebrated over the two-day period.

𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗮𝗸𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘂

Hiranyakashipu was an evil king. He had special powers that made him nearly invincible and he wanted everyone in his kingdom to worship him. He was so powerful he started to act like a god and punished or killed anyone who disobeyed him. Hiranyakashipu had a son called Prahlad. Prahlad disobeyed his father and worshipped Vishnu instead of him, so his father planned to kill him. The king asked his sister Holika to help kill Prahlad. Holika had a special cloak that would protect her from fire. So she planned to trick Prahlad by taking him into a fire but because she was using her powers for evil, the plan failed and the cloak flew from Holika and covered Prahlad. Prahlad was safe and Vishnu then defeated the evil king. The celebration of Holi represents the triumph of good over evil.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗞𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗻𝗮

The Hindu god Krishna was quite mischievous. He complained to his mother Yashoda that he didn’t like his dark blue skin and wanted to be fairer, like the love of his life Radha.

Yashoda, who adored her son, suggested he paint Radha’s face any colour he wanted, to make him feel better. So that’s exactly what Krishna did. Krishna and Radha were still madly in love after he did this, so Radha clearly didn’t mind Krishna’s little practical joke.

Some people believe this is why, during Holi, everyone pelts each other with various colours. It could also be why one of the names of Holi is the ‘festival of love’, as it is in part celebrating the love between Krishna and Radha.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶:

The colours of Holi signify specific things:

• red = love
• blue = Krishna
• yellow = turmeric (a spice used in lots of Asian food)
• green = spring

PASA PUCHAH GUTHI, UK celebrated Holi in the UK, for the first time. It was a celebration of colours, joy, happiness, and love. The weather in London is very unpredictable, especially at this time of the year. But, weather it was on our side when we enjoyed each other’s company, throwing colours at each other, sharing and creating memories, and devouring delicious Newah Bhoye!

19 March 2022

Elthorne Park, Hanwell - London

#holi2022 #festivalofcolours #pasapuchahguthi

March 22, 2022 at 10:32AM

Day 3479: Oneek and Music

Oneek has few best friends, but his true best friends are Books and Music.

He loves books and music but I am not sure if he can love one without loving another. And, I am loving witnessing this triangle of love story, reliving my childhood through his achievements, and being proud in the process. Most importantly, Music gives him happiness and books give him tranquillity. I hope these two make him the man of the future with integrity and heart.

His reach is limitless and I can’t wait to see who he becomes. Seeing him grow up, fight his insecurities, and enjoy every day with silliness and laughter is a joy, it is both happiness and a privilege!

You go, son!

*Oneek plays guitar in his school ensemble for the first time. The ensemble was restarted after the 2 years of the pandemic.

21 March 2022

Fielding Primary School, Hanwell

March 18, 2022 at 10:34AM

Day 3475: Happy Holi to all!

Holi Celebration

PASA PUCHAH GUTHI, UK is celebrating Holi on Saturday, 19 March 2022.

The colorful event will take place at Elthorne Park (Weather permitting) and then we will head to Nepal Restaurant, Hanwell to devour on Samay Baji. This is the first time Pasa Puchah Guthi, UK has organized Holi in the UK.

For more information Please contact Pranisha Shakya, Sandeep Shrestha, Lisa Dali, or just reach out to PASA PUCHAH GUTHI, UK

#holi2022 #holiinlondon #PasaPuchahGuthi #guthi

March 1, 2022 at 10:39AM

Day 3459- Biska Jatra (AKA Bisket Jatra)

PASA PUCHAH GUTHI, UK is organizing a Biska Jatra in Plumstead, London on Sunday, 10 April 2022, for the first time in the UK, after over 2 years.

Biskaa Jatra:

In Bhaktapur, Nepal, three months after the winter season of Ghya: Caku Sa(n)lhu, a nine-day Biska Jatra, is celebrated. It is one of the city's four-yearly festivities of major importance.

The yasi(n) (locally called lya:si(n)) is a large tree-trunk pole that is pulled down at the start of the solar New Year to mark the beginning of a New Year. Themes of the divide, conflict, and reintegration are expressed and enacted over the period of nine days. These themes are embodied through pictures of sensuality and images (and realities) of physical hardship, which eventually allude to the city as a whole.

The themes are expressed through a pattern of interlocking images, stories, and actions with three main areas

1. the city's major space-protecting deities

2. the adventures of two of Bhaktapur's dangerous deities (Bhairava and Bhadrakali) who are dominant during the festival, and

3. the "Yasi(n) God" whose actions mark the end of one year and the beginning of the next.

More on this to follow (hopefully, before the event itself.)

#Biska #biskajatra #BisketJatra #Newah #newahinuk #NewahMuna