The festival of Holi was celebrated at Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden, in traditional style in the presence of over 10,000 devotees. The day also marked the birth-anniversary of Brahmaswarup Bhagatji Maharaj.
On the grounds of The Swaminarayan School, the Head of the Mandir, Pujya Atmaswarup Swami, commenced the ceremonies with the pujan of Lord Vishnu's murti. It was on this day that the child-devotee Prahlad was protected by Lord Vishnu from the clutches of the evil demoness Holika in the blazing fire. A drama depicting Prahlad's protection from Hiranyakashipu by Lord Nrusinh was performed by the boys of the Birmingham Bal Mandal.
A huge bonfire was specially created for the event and lit to symbolize the burning of evil in the form of Holika. Thousands of devotees paid their obeisance by offering coconuts and performing circumambulations of the fire.