FAMILIES and friends gathered in Basingstoke over the weekend to mark this year’s Holi celebrations.

Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours, is considered the second biggest Hindu festival after Diwali, and the celebrations last for two days - Holika Dahan and Rang-Panchami.

It marks the celebration of the victory of good over evil. On this day, people play with colours.

Children and adults smear colours on each other and seek the blessings of their elders.

On Saturday, HSS in collaboration with the Basingstoke Hindu Society indulged in playful colours with each other at Carnival Hall.

The Mayor of Basingstoke Onnalee Cubitt and her consort Hugo Cubitt attended the ceremony, with around 200 people taking part.

Children were delighted to have the mayor taking part in some of the games.

Cllr Cubitt said: “We were honoured to be invited to celebrate Holi - the Festival of Colours by Satya Sookhun of the Basingstoke Hindu Society. It was a joy to be there to celebrate good over evil. A narrative which could not be more important today with the terrible tragedy of war in Ukraine unfolding. It was lovely to see so many children there. The central message of Holi is a wonderful and universal one.”

Chief Inspector Matthew Reeves and three of his colleagues were in attendance for the first time, along with county councillor Arun Mummalaneni.

Satya said: “The atmosphere was palpable, the euphonic giggles were infectious, and no one escaped unscathed by the harmless, aimless and directionless coloured projectiles. Kids were loving it, but it was endearing to see adults engaging in such infantility, perhaps reminiscing their own bygone days or years.”

Satya thanked the team of volunteers, also known as Karyakartas, for their support in planning, organising and running the event.

The celebrations also included families and friends enjoying homemade vegetarian food – as per Hindu customs.

Also hosting a celebration for the community was Spices and Spirits, in Kings Furlong Drive, who gathered people to enjoy Holi delicacies like gujiya, thandai.

About 35 people gathered together to enjoy the variety of cuisine from various regions of India and celebrated Holi by playing with colours.

The restaurant is planning to celebrate Holi every year during March.