A HOLI NIGHT FULL OF FABULOUS COLOUR

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

A holi night full of fabulous colour

Nearly 5,000 people joined in colourful celebrations for the Hindu festival of Holi.

People travelled from across Leicester and beyond for the event in Spinney Hill Park, which included a large bonfire, on Tuesday night.

They threw coconuts into the flames and painted one another's faces as part of the spring festival – also known as the festival of colours – which welcomes the spring and marks the end of winter.

The event was organised by Shree Hindu Temple and Community Centre, in St Barnabas Road.

Centre manager Mayur Sisodia said: "It went very well – beyond our expectations.

"We estimate there were between 4,000 and 5,000 people there to welcome the spring season. It's a time when people put all their evil thoughts and feelings into the fire and start anew, leaving the past behind us. Everyone had a very enjoyable time.

"We wish to thank Leicester City Council for its support and the police for traffic management."