The festival of Holi was
celebrated at Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden, in traditional style
in the presence of over 10,000 devotees. The day also marked the birth-anniversary
of Brahmaswarup Bhagatji Maharaj.
On the grounds of The Swaminarayan School, the Head of the Mandir,
Pujya Atmaswarup Swami, commenced the ceremonies with the pujan of
Lord Vishnu's murti. It was on this day that the child-devotee Prahlad
was protected by Lord Vishnu from the clutches of the evil demoness
Holika in the blazing fire. A drama depicting Prahlad's protection
from Hiranyakashipu by Lord Nrusinh was performed by the boys of the
Birmingham Bal Mandal.
A huge bonfire was specially created for the event and lit to symbolize
the burning of evil in the form of Holika. Thousands of devotees paid
their obeisance by offering coconuts and performing circumambulations
of the fire.
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