Dorset: Corfe Castle hosts Hindu Holi festival in first for National Trust

Three thousand people gathered at a National Trust site for a Holi festival celebration.

Participants met at Corfe Castle in Dorset on Saturday to mark the Hindu festival of colour which falls on Monday 25 March.

The Bournemouth, Poole, and Christchurch (BPC) Indian Community group worked with the trust to organise the event.

It was the first time a National Trust property has hosted a Hindu festival.

Vibrant powders filled the air for the event called Rang Barse, which means falling colours

Nisha Sarkar, who is from India but came to live in Bournemouth two years ago, said: "It's in the Indian culture to celebrate Holi together.

"It's important for my kids to understand it, so I brought my daughter to this event.

"I miss celebrating in India. But it's amazing to have the celebration by such a beautiful castle."

It was the first time a National Trust property has hosted a Hindu festival

Vibrant powders filled the air for the event called Rang Barse, which means falling colours.

Isobel Sheath, from Hampshire, said: "It's very important to host such events. It promotes diversity.

"The National Trust is traditionally a very British establishment so it's important to reflect other cultures with events such as this."

The trust has previously worked with the group hosting a Bollywood event on Studland last year

Anjali Mavi, from the BPC Indian Community group, said: "Over the past seven years, Dorset has seen more Asian families move in, so it's great that the National Trust is helping us share our heritage through events like this."

Mrs Mavi added: "Having it at the National Trust is extra special because it means we're reaching out to a wider and diverse audience, including people who might not usually visit. It's all about bringing different communities together and celebrating diversity."

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