Phagwa

Phagwa

Full moon day in March

The Hindu festival of Phagwa celebrates the Vernal Equinox and the start of the Hindu New Year ( see Vaisakh). In Trinidad and Tobago, a Carnival spirit has gradually pervaded the festivities, which now combine both secular and religious elements and are no longer confined to Hindus. The celebration includes bonfires (to symbolize the destruction of Holika, the evil sister of King Hiranya Kashipu; see also Holi) and Chowtal-singing competitions, which mix religious and secular music and are heavily influenced by calypso. The spraying of Abeer powder, a red vegetable dye made into a bright fuchsia liquid, gives everyone's hair and skin a tie-dyed effect.
Band competitions, similar to those held at Carnival ( see Trinidad and Tobago Carnival), are held at several locations throughout the island. There are also reenactments of the legend of Holika, complete with oriental costumes, crowns, jewelry, and flowers.

CONTACTS:
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