Essequibians optimistic about Phagwah, despite COVID-19

Over the past years, Phagwah has become one of the most popular festivals not only in Guyana but also around the world. It is a time when Hindus put aside their differences and unite as one people to celebrate diversity.

In Guyana, there are no limits to the religious festivities and it is celebrated the same way as in India, a place where the festival originally emerged.
Phagwah, also known as Holi, the festival of colours, ushers in spring, the blossoming of love and for many it is a festive day for socialising, exchanging greetings and also repairing a broken relationship.
This festival signifies the triumph of good over evil.
On this day, Hindus traditionally wear white and indulge in dousing each other with water, abeer and various colours of powder.

In Essequibo, it is evident that many persons of different religions and ethnic backgrounds partake in the celebration of Phagwah. The festival has proven to be one of the unifying ones in Guyana and in Essequibo, it is no different. It is a day where people put aside their racial prejudice and just partake.
This year, the celebration is somewhat different. Regarding the continuing concerns in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony stated that it will be necessary to maintain restrictions towards the celebration.
Hindus will still be lucky to observe the festival but in a more conserved manner while adhering to all COVID-19 guidelines. In Essequibo, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha temples will be involved in religious service, chowtaal signing and also the burning of Holika.

Mandirs are only allowed to have a 40 per cent capacity and mandir members are encouraged to utilise their outdoor spaces where available.
On the Essequibo Coast, many temples have already erected sinks and mask signs in observance of the festival. Many temple leaders related that it is important that persons adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines in the dreaded pandemic.
Many families said that they prefer to be indoors and to spend the time preparing sumptuous meals and share around the villages.

“Virtual mela”
Pandit Kaydar Persaud also known as Pandit Prakash said that Hindus should celebrate the festival of colours while remembering the true significance of the “triumph of good over evil”.
“Since last year, the Hindu festivals are affected as a result of COVID protocols that were given rise to by the Minister of Health. Phagwah is celebrated with blossoming of love, the eternal and divine love of Radha and Krishna and also happiness and prosperity,” he said.
Persaud said that this year, the Essequibo Praant will be hosting a virtual mela and semi chowtaal samelans. He said that the mela will be aired on the local RCA channel and live on Facebook. The mela will feature dance performances and singers from the region.
The religious leader said the Sabha is very concerned about persons’ health and as such is encouraging small gatherings. He said that it is important that persons spend quality time with their families and stay together during the pandemic in the comfort of their homes.
He said members of the Essequibo Praant will also be moving around to ensure that all the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 guidelines are observed.
Meanwhile, several temples along the Essequibo Coast were busy preparing their bonfire for the lighting of Holika. Members said that only a few persons will be around to witness but they are hoping to also have it done virtually through Facebook feeds. Most mandir services are scheduled for 09:00 hours in the region after which persons would go home and spend the time indoors will families.

The festival
One of the foundational principles of Hindusim is good only begets good and it is instilled in the minds of all Hindus from a young age. They are taught to do good deeds as a way of life. They are taught that one’s soul only attains Moksha (liberation in this life) through good karma (deeds). Around this time, we are quite often reminded about the consequences of good karma with the celebration of Holi – the festival of colours.
Holi, or Phagwah as we know it, is the Spring Festival celebrated on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (Phalguna Purnima), which usually falls in the latter part of February or March. There are several legends, depending on the area you are living in. However, the most common legend is the story of young Prahlad and his evil aunt Holika signifying the triumph of good over evil.

The legend
There was once a demon king by the name of King Hiranyakashyapu who won over the Kingdom of Earth through years of prayers. He was the King of the demonic Asuras and according to the Bhagavata Purana, he was granted a boon (wish) that he could be killed by neither a human being nor an animal, neither indoors nor outdoors, neither at day nor at night, neither by astra (projectile weapons) nor by any shastra (handheld weapons), and neither on land nor in water or air.
After he received his boon, Hiranyakashyapu became so egoistical that he commanded everybody in his kingdom to worship only him. But to his great disappointment, his son, Prahlad, became an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu – the sustainer of the universe – and refused to worship his father.

Hiranyakashyapu tried several ways to kill his son Prahlad but Lord Vishnu saved him every time. Finally, he asked his sister, Holika, to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. For Hiranyakashyapu knew that Holika had a boon, whereby, she could enter the fire unscathed.
Treacherously, Holika coaxed young Prahlad to sit in her lap and she herself took her seat in a blazing fire. The legend has it that Holika had to pay the price of her sinister desire with her life. Holika was not aware that the boon worked only when she entered the fire alone.
Prahlad, who kept chanting the name of Lord Vishnu while in the fire with his aunt, came out unharmed, as the Lord blessed him for his extreme devotion. Thus, Holi derives its name from Holika. And is celebrated as a festival of victory of good over evil.
Holi is also celebrated as the triumph of a devotee. As the legend depicts that anybody, howsoever strong, cannot harm a true devotee and those who dare torture a true devotee of God shall be reduced to ashes.
After the fire destroyed the evil Holika, King Hiranyakashyapu became enraged and attempted to kill Prahlad himself. However, Vishnu, the God who appears as an avatar (form) to restore Dharma in Hindu beliefs, took the form of Narasimha – half human and half lion, at dusk (when it was neither day nor night), took Hiranyakashyapu at a doorstep (which was neither indoors nor outdoors), placed him on his lap (which was neither land, water nor air), and then eviscerated and killed the king with his lion claws (which were neither a handheld weapon nor a launched weapon).

Holika Dahan
Holika Dahan or the burning of Holika will take place across Guyana on the night before the Phagwah celebrations. The festival of Holi gets its name from this very ritual of Holika Dahan. The phrase Holika Dahan literally means burning Holika. The day when Holika is burnt is also known as Choti Holi or small Holi. The people create a bonfire on this day and celebrate the triumph of good over evil.
It is stated in the Vedas that one day before the Holikotsav, a sacred fire was burnt and specific mantras to ward off evil were recited during the burning ritual. The fire was burnt with the objective of destroying the demonic forces.
The sacred ash obtained from this fire ritual was known as the Bhumi Hari. This ash was smeared on the forehead of the person participating in the ritual to keep away evil spirits. To date, this ritual of offering food grains to the bonfire is followed.
The preparations of Holika Dahan start 40 days before the festival. People gather twigs, logs, dry leaves etc. Then on the night of Phalgun Purnima, the bonfire is set alight amidst chanting of the Rakshogana mantras which help to ward off evil spirits. The next morning the ashes of the fire are collected and smeared on the body before taking a bath.
The burning of Holika signifies the triumph of good over evil and that the bad forces around you can never win if you have a strong will. Holika represents the negative forces which get burnt against the strong will of human which is denoted by Prahlad.