Vibrant celebrations as crowds mark Holi

Hundreds have gathered in a park to celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of colours.

The celebration saw crowds throw vibrant coloured powders on each other at Muscliff Park in Bournemouth, Dorset, as they danced to Bollywood music to mark the start of spring and the victory of good over evil.

The event on Sunday was organised by volunteers at the Bournemouth, Poole, and Christchurch (BPC) Indian Community group.

Co-founder Poonam Paranjpe said events like Holi helped build friendships and strengthen community spirit across the area.

Holi is based on the Hindu legend of Holika, a female demon, who tries to kill her nephew Prahlad because he worships the Hindu god Vishnu. But Prahlad miraculously survives the burning fire even as Holika is consumed by the flames.

People light bonfires the evening before Holi in the belief this will destroy the bad so that good can triumph.

Paranjpe said this year's celebration had brought together about 1,000 people from across the BCP area, as well as visitors from Southampton, Bridport, Weymouth and London.

"One of the most special aspects of the event was the diversity of people attending – it was truly a celebration open to everyone," she said.

Paranjpe said they had used traditional Holi powders, known as gulal, in a range of bright festive colours such as pink, yellow, green, orange, purple and blue.

"Several kilograms of colour were joyfully thrown throughout the afternoon as people joined together for the classic Holi colour countdown moments that filled the air with colour and laughter," she said.

"Because the colours used are dry powder and biodegradable, they naturally disperse and wash away easily with rain or standard park cleaning."

The afternoon also featured a high-energy Bollywood dance workshop, live music and a range of food including Indian street favourites and Nepalese dishes.

"Holi is known as the Festival of Colours and symbolises joy, renewal and the triumph of good over evil, but for our community it is also about connection and inclusivity," Paranjpe said.

"Events like this bring people from many cultures and backgrounds together, helping to build friendships and strengthen community spirit across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area."