Werribee’s bursting with colour. Want in?

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Festivals of South Asia INC's Holi Fest 2016

Holi is a festival of fun and colour. And as always, the more, the merrier

Make a date with colour, on 3 March, 2018, at the Holi festival in Werribee Racecourse. The festival, hosted by Festivals of South Asia INC, is likely to be attended by more than 10,000 people from all walks of life, and the organisers, led by Hari Yellina, Secretary of Festival of South Asia INC, say they are raring to go.

With many sponsors on board all supporting the project, Yellina says the mood is nothing short of “electric”. “This event offers many opportunities to the locals and business enterprises. To the local, it offers a space and time to celebrate multiculturalism. To business enterprises, it’s THE place and time to showcase their goods and services to thousands of participants and even tourist who will grace the occasion. I believe it is the perfect opportunity to promote business,” says Yellina.

Holi is an annual Hindu celebration that marks the arrival of spring. Holi, or the Festival of Colours, takes place to make the celebration of the triumph of good versus evil. The festival is mainly celebrated by Hindus in parts of India and Nepal but over the years it has garnered a more secular appeal. “The festival of Holi is vibrant and filled with amazing and beautiful colours powder which people throw at each other. It is celebrated the day after the full moon, in the month of Phalgun (early March),” explains Yellina.

Hari Yellina with wife Sarika at Holi Fest 2016

Holi festival is divided into two events—Holika Dahan and Rangwali Holi. The night before Rangwali Holi takes place, people gather to burn to burn wood and dung cakes as a symbol pyre of good defeat over evil and triumph. In Hindu scriptures, god Vishnu helps burn the evil Holika. Children play pranks and hurl insults to Holika as if they are trying to send away Dhundhi who used to trouble little ones in Prithu. Other people believe in taking embers from the burnt wood to their homes as it is believed to help in rekindling domestic fires.

The next morning, people gather in public places for Rangwali Holi. The day, known as Dhuleti, is the day that the play of colours takes place. People get drenched in boh water and colour. The tradition of holding Puja in not observed on this day because the day is supposed to be filled with pure enjoyment.

“All I can say now is, join the fun’,” says Yellina.

 

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