Saturday 9 December 2023 | Kartik Vad 12, Samvat 2080

Sat 9 Dec 2023

The Fuldolotsav festival is referred to as the Festival of Flowers; because the fragrant flowers would be blooming from then onwards. The festival takes place the day after Holi. 

All over India, the events are celebrated by spraying coloured water and sprinkling powdered paint over one another. Consequently, Holi is known as the Festival of Colours - representative of the beautiful spring blossoms that would be emerging on the trees at this time of year. 

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Bolton celebrated Fuldolotsav and Holi on Wednesday 8th March 2023. Celebrations began with disciples honouring Lord Shree Swaminarayan by performing Sandhya Aarti.
 
An ardent devotee gave a speech regarding the origins of Holi, comprising of the story of Hiranyakashipu and his son, Prahlad. The story symbolised that if we stay on the path of the Lord, then “apni hamesha bhagwan, har kshane, har samay Raksha karva pochij aavse”, meaning that the Lord will protect us in any moment or situation. 

The occasion also coincided with International Bagpipe day. Young members of Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe band conveyed the history of the Band to the sabha and ended their presentation with a quiz.  

In the Swaminarayan religion, devotional samuh raas is played around the divine murti of Lord Shree Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa to please him. Devotees performed a medley of kirtans whilst the sabha encircled the Lord with energy and enthusiasm.

Traditionally, the Prasad distributed on this day is popcorn.