The Hindu festival of Phagwa or Holi was brought to Trinidad by the first contingent of Indian indentured labourers in 1845. They were brought from India aboard the SS Fatal Razack as replacement labour for the recently freed slaves.
Whereas the slave masters denied the unfortunate labourers brought from Africa their right to practice their traditional religion and beliefs, the Indian immigrant labourers continued many of the religious and cultural observances which they brought from India.
Holi is a spring festival that is often referred to as a festival of colours. It is also sometimes described as a festival for lovers. Legend has it that this is the period when girls are permitted to pursue the young men of the villages.
Holi is celebrated at the approach of the vernal equinox, on the Phalguna Purnima (Full Moon). The festival date varies every year according to the Hindu calendar, but usually comes in February/March in the Gregorian calendar. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many, a day to meet others, play and laugh, forgets and forgive, and repair ruptured relationships. In 2026, Holi will be observed on March 8th.
In India, where the festival was first celebrated, it occurs at the time of year when the fields are in full bloom and people are expecting a good harvest. This gives them good reason to rejoice and make merry.
Outside of India, Holi is observed by the minority Hindus in Bangladesh and Pakistan, as well as countries with large Indian subcontinent diaspora populations such as Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Mauritius and Fiji. The Holi rituals and customs outside South Asia also vary with local adaptations.
In T&T, the celebrations begin at the level of the Hindu schools in Trinidad, where children compete against each other in the Chowtal Sammelan. This is really a prelude to the general Phagwa, and this year it takes place on Saturday, February 28th, with 48 schools participating in competition. Venue is the Lakshmi Girls’ College auditorium in St Augustine.
Today, we as Hindus, thousands of miles away from the Hindu homeland in India, are able to continue these celebrations and transmit their messages to our children; we must express our gratitude to our ancestors.
Holi celebrations begin with a bonfire the night before. This event is known as the “Burning of Holika.” Days before, devotees and participants start gathering wood and other combustible materials for a bonfire that will herald the destruction of evil and the establishment of righteous conduct.
Prahalad was a young devotee of Lord Vishnu and the son of the demon King Hiranyakashyapu, who demanded worship and despised Vishnu. Despite his father’s cruel attempt to kill him—poison, fire and elephants, Prahalad remained unharmed due to Vishnu’s protection.
Getting angry with his son, Hiranyakashyapu challenged Prahalad to sit on a pyre with his wicked aunt Holika, who was believed to be immune to fire. Holika put herself and Prahalad on the fire on orders from her brother. Prahalad accepted the challenge and prayed to Lord Vishnu to keep him safe. When the fire started, everyone watched in amazement as Holika was burnt to death, while Prahalad survived without a scar.
The ritual of the bonfire also symbolises the victory of good over evil. In India and other countries where Holi is observed, the participants sing and dance in the villages and the city streets, sprinkling ‘Abeer’ upon each other. Abeer, a coloured liquid, is sprayed from a pichakri [bottle/pump], also dried powder often referred to as ‘gulal.’ It’s washable and non-toxic, and is natural plant-derived colours from turmeric, the neem and kumkum. In Trinidad, by evening, the area would have been converted into a canvas of colours.
The Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha has set aside a special day for Children’s Phagwa. We use the discipline of the school and the assistance of teachers and parents to guide our children into acceptable behaviour patterns.
The Maha Sabha Education Board has ruled that the type of Phagwa songs and their styles shall be in the traditional Chowtal, Jhumar, Dharmar, Jatee, Vaiswaara, Leej and Hori. And only two musical instruments are allowed—the dholak (hand drum) and the jhaal (small brass cymbal).
