Hindus Celebrate Holi At New Temple

March 14, 2009

Author: David Massey

Source: News-Journal

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Local/newEAST01031409.htm

Bright colors, jubilation and prayer chants filled a crowded little temple on Madison Avenue this week, as local Hindu people celebrated Holi festivities under bright moonlight.

The day after the full moon in the Hindu month of Phalguna, or early March, Indian people gather together merrymaking, eating and congregating to welcome the spring season, which brings color, life and vitality.

In past years, the local Hindu population celebrated Holi on the beach because they had no other place to gather. But, now, the Madison Avenue Hindu Temple of Daytona Beach serves as a religious and social center to about 300 Hindi, who gather regularly to worship and to eat meals together, an Indian tradition.

"We created the temple to observe the holidays and festivals and traditions, for the future generations," local Hindu priest Pratap Rawal said.