HOLI! The happiest and colorful for all

Last year, Holi was the last normal festival for Indians around the world. And being a festival which involves lots of energy and participation this year with the advent of the second wave that charm was limited to indoors. The fun was still witnessed around the world, in India and in Australia too.

Gatherings were restricted in major parts, yet who can stop friends and family from meeting.

History of Holi

Holi is a popular ancient Hindu festival, also known as the "Festival of Love", the "Festival of Colours", and the "Festival of Spring". The festival celebrates the eternal and divine love of Radha and Krishna. It also signifies the triumph of good over evil, as it celebrates the victory of Lord Vishnu as Narasimha Narayana over Hiranyakashipu. It originated and is predominantly celebrated in Nepal & India but has also spread to other regions of Asia and parts of the Western world through the diaspora from the Indian subcontinent.

Holi celebrates the arrival of spring, the end of winter, the blossoming of love and for many, it is a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships. The festival also celebrates the beginning of a good spring harvest season. It lasts for a night and a day, starting on the evening of the Purnima (Full Moon Day) falling in the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna, which falls around middle of March in the Gregorian calendar. The first evening is known as Holika Dahan (burning of Demon Holika) or Chhoti Holi and the following day as Holi, Rangwali Holi, Dol Purnima, Dhuleti, Dhulandi, Ukuli, Manjal Kuli, Yaosang, Shigmo or Phagwah.

Holi is an ancient Hindu religious festival that has become popular among non-Hindus as well in many parts of South Asia, as well as people of other communities outside Asia. In addition to India and Nepal, the festival is celebrated by Indian subcontinent diaspora in countries such as Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa, Mauritius, Fiji, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In recent years, the festival has spread to parts of Europe and North America as a spring celebration of love, frolic, and colours.

Holi celebrations start on the night before Holi with a Holika Dahan where people gather, perform religious rituals in front of the bonfire, and pray that their internal evil be destroyed the way Holika, the sister of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, was killed in the fire. The next morning is celebrated as Rangwali Holi (Dhuleti) – a free-for-all festival of colours, where people smear each other with colours and drench each other. Water guns and water-filled balloons are also used to play and colour each other. Anyone and everyone is fair game, friend or stranger, rich or poor, man or woman, children, and elders. The frolic and fight with colours occurs in the open streets, parks, outside temples and buildings. Groups carry drums and other musical instruments, go from place to place, sing and dance. People visit family, friends and foes come together to throw coloured powders on each other, laugh and gossip, then share Holi delicacies, food and drinks. In the evening, people dress up and visit friends and family.

Exuberant Holi celebrations across Australia even as PM Morrison extends greetings to PM Modi

The Indian festival of colours, Holi which fell on 29th March this year is being celebrated across different venues in Australia with festivities commencing on 26th March and more celebrations are on the cards till the first week of April.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison extended his heartfelt wishes to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian diaspora in Australia on the delightful occasion of Holi. In his video message on his Twitter account he also praised India for doing a tremendous job as part of the Quad and in making vaccines which are playing a vital role in combating the health crisis. He ended the video saying ‘Holi ki shubhkamnaye’ which means “Best wishes and greetings on the occasion of Holi”. In a special message to the Indian community in Australia, he wrote, “Holi is a story with ancient origins- a timeless festival that draws Indian families and communities together around the world.”

According to the Hindu calendar, on the full-moon day of Phalgun month, Holika Dahan is celebrated and the following day people play Holi with colours. Holi is celebrated all across India with reasons varying from place to place. Although what is common in Holi is that it marks the beginning of spring in India and signifies the triumph of good over evil.

PM Morrison’s buoyant wishes for Holi this year and a hope for a healthy future were echoed by the Indian community members across Australia as they congregated in plethora of venues to play with colours and enlivened the spirit of Holi which commemorates the idea of bolstering solidarity and amicability as well as brings forth the victory of virtues over vices.

Gold Coast festival of colours Holi

The Great lawn in Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast served as the venue for one of the biggest Holi celebrations in Australia on March 28, 2021 from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm. Apart from getting covered and splashed with colours, the visitors were also entertained by various cultural programmes. The event was also a gastronomic delight as the food stalls at the venue not only offered iced tea and ice creams but also several savoury Indian dishes and intercontinental cuisines.

Knox Holika Dahan and Hindu food festival 2021

The Cultural Diversity Week which was being celebrated in Knox culminated with the Holika Dahan and Hindu food festival on March 28, 2021 which was held from 4.00 pm to 7.30 pm at Shree Swaminarayan Temple Melbourne in Dinsdale Ward, Knox. Councillor for Dinsdale Ward, Sorina Grasso also joined the celebrations where she was welcomed with open arms and given an introduction to the temple. She also enjoyed some of the delicacies on offer.

Melbourne Holi Festival 2021

Birrarung Marr playground in Melbourne was the ideal venue for fun, frolic and dancing that is inextricably linked with Holi festivities. The event was a twoday affair lasting from March 27 to March 28. The wonderful sight of the sea of humanity swathed in vibrant hues swaying to Bollywood chartbusters was worth beholding thus dispelling the gloom which had for so long descended over Australia due to the terror unleashed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Point Cook Bolly Holi

Picnic park, Point Cook in Victoria also saw many enthusiastic community members gathering together to play the festival of colours this year from 11.00 am to 8.30 pm. The lineup of programs included a rangoli competition from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm; Holi DJ dance party from 12.30 pm to 3.00 pm- the most awaited event of the day, followed by cultural performances and Bolly Dance workshop from 3.30 pm to 5.00 pm and, ending with the airing of the hit Bollywood movie - 3 Idiots from 5.30 pm onwards.

Balam Pichkari Neon Holi Cruise party

The Balam Pichkari Neon Holi Cruise party which was held on March 26 was a one of its kind neon colours and glow light themed party on board a luxury cruise with two decks and rooftop. The boarding commenced at 8.00 pm from King Street wharf with the party lasting for well over four hours. The event featured DJs with Bollywood and retro music; a night cruise and an evening to be the part of the most hyped party of Sydney.