Holi is a fun-filled and extremely colourful festival which is celebrated in north India to mark the the coming of spring. It also celebrates the legend of Lord Vishnu and one of his most revered devotees, Prahlad.  Prahlad was a prince. His father, the king wanted everyone in his kingdom to worship him. But Prahlad refused and worshipped Lord Vishnu instead. The king's sister Holika, who was supposed to be immune to fire, tricked her nephew Prahlad into sitting on her lap in a bonfire in order to destroy him. But because she was using her powers for evil, the plan failed and Prahlad emerged from the fire unharmed, while Holika was devoured by the flames.

Holi is a colourful festival, with dancing, singing, and throwing of powder paint and coloured water.Bonfires are lit and roasting grains, pop corn, coconut and chick peas are thrown on by Hindu families.The next day, people of all ages go into the streets for fun and paint-throwing. Everyone gets involved - with no distinctions between caste, class, age or gender.Hindus have fun by smearing each other with paint and throwing coloured water at each other, all done in a spirit of celebration.

I am truly fortunate to be living in Hull which has a large, extremely dedicated and proactive hindu community (which I am proud to be part of) and who invited me to photograph this amazing celebration. It was a wonderful fun-filled occasion and one that will stay with me for a long time as one of my fondest memories of living in Hull. Thank you Mr Mahapatra and the rest of the HERCA team for your dedication and invitation !