When Indian indentured labourers arrived in Trinidad aboard the SS Fatal Razack on May 30, 1845, they brought with them their religion, culture and traditions....The sugar estates and plantations provided no place of worship but our ancestors who revere nature used rivers, ponds and other such natural spots to create altars (bedi), upon which offerings were made and Sanskrit prayers chanted. In addition to Sanatan Dharma or Hinduism which they practised, they also brought with them their cultural traditions. Divali, Ramleela, Kartik, Shivraatri and Phagwa are now cultural celebrations that reach beyond the Hindu community.....
The festival of Holi is also associated with the enduring love between Lord Krishna (an incarna- tion of Vishnu) and Radha. According to legend, the young Krishna complained to his mother Yashoda about why Radha was so fair and he so dark......Yashoda advised him to apply colour on Radha's face and see how her complexion would change......
The Phagwa celebrations are spread over four major events on the following places: Burning Holika (bonfire)........Tunapuna Hindu Schools Grounds; Parvati Girls Hindu College, Debe; Narayan Madhavan Mandir, Toco Road......Tunapuna Hindu Schools Grounds. General Phagwa:various venues. Chowtal Sammelan (singing of holy songs) at the Maha Sabha Headquarters on the Saturday for schools, and at the Parvati Girls Hindu College, Debe, on the Sunday for adults........
this yr phagwa will b held tis mth end.......