On Friday 6 March, Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury marked its first ever Fuldolotsav with a beautiful Annakut and with disciples performing devotional raas.

A mountain of delicious food, lovingly cooked by the members of the congregation, was presented before the divine Murtis of Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa and Acharya Swamishree Maharaj. Shree Mukta Orchestra provided live music whilst disciples performed raas around the Lord’s Murti.

Fuldolotsav is celebrated on the day after Holi. All over India, the days are celebrated by spraying coloured water and sprinkling powdered paint over one another. The colour is representative of the beautiful spring blossoms that would be emerging on the trees at this time of year. The Fuldolotsav festival is sometimes referred to as the Festival of Flowers.

Many mythological stories exist to explain the origins of the festivals. For the disciples of the Swaminarayan religion this festival is about discarding our internal evils that obstruct our devotion to the lord. This colourful festival is representative of the welcoming of spring, similarly we must welcome a new beginning into our lives as the spring season indicates a fresh start.