The Hindu festival of Holi was celebrated in Kingston this weekend as residents united to mark the coming of spring and end of winter in remarkable fashion.

Also known as the 'festival of love' or 'festival of spring', Holi is celebrated in many South Asian communities including India, Pakistan, Nepal and those from across the world.

Traditionally, celebrations spread across two days, known as Jalanewali Holi and Rangwali Holi.

The festival marks a time to celebrate the love of Radha Krishna and the triumph of good over evil with events that begin with a ritual evening bonfire (Jalanewali Holi), followed by coloured paint flinging, music, and feasting the following day (Rangwali Holi) as the beginning of Spring is marked.

The Mayor of Kingston (centre), Cllr Yogan Yoganathan, alongside families during yesterday's Kingston Holi celebrations (Credit: Surbhi Agrawal)

Kingston marked the Holi festivities through a sold-out event on Park Road yesterday afternoon (March 5th) as over a hundred members of the borough came together to enjoy traditional music, food, and dance while throwing colours creating a vibrant display in the sky and uniting people from different communities to celebrate the victory of righteousness over wrongdoing.

Over 100 residents took part in Kingston's Holi 2023 Festival (Credit: Surbhi Agrawal)

Sunday afternoon marked the ninth Kingston Holi celebration and the first since a three-year hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The Mayor of Kingston, Cllr Yogan Yoganathan, was in attendance to mark the occasion and praised the local efforts to celebrate the international festival.

Cllr Yoganathan said: "I was delighted to join the Kingston Holi celebrations after a three-year absence due to lockdown restrictions with the help of the organiser, Surbhi Agrawal and families from across the borough.

"There was in excess of nine stalls , exhibiting delicious home made Indian foods, wider choices of cakes, traditional drinks, beauty products and artistic hand-made items. It was a truly amazing afternoon with Kingston families and I wish everyone a very happy Holi and hope 2023 will be much brighter in all aspects of life than the past challenging three years."