Colored powder and traditional Hindu song and dance were the highlights of the 17th Annual Phagwah Parade/Festival on Saturday in Jersey City (see photos).
The celebration is derived from the popular Indian festival of colors known as Holi, conducted in the spring.
There were 500 to 600 people estimated in attendance at the event according to Raj Bahadur, the president of the United Hindu Federation of New Jersey, the organizers of the Phagwah Parade/Festival.
The parade started Saturday morning from Audubon Park, located between Audubon Avenue and Stegman Parkway, making its way to Lincoln Park on the city’s west side.
In the park, children and adults squirted each other with colored dye, known as gulal, from plastic bottles or sprinkled one another with colored baby powder. Also, there was a stage set up where members of local Hindu temples mandirs) sang and danced, wearing traditional garb.
Many of the attendees were Hindus from Caribbean countries including Guyana and Trindad who have resettled in Jersey City and other parts of Hudson County. – Ricardo Kaulessar
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