Holi Festival celebration is an explosion of colours

By Kayla Jones

Mar 28, 2024

A colourful display of love: Festival-goers are covered in colourful powder, the signature mark of Holi.

Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours, is a popular and significant Hindu festival that is widely celebrated across India, Nepal and the world.

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The festival commemorates the divine power of Hindu deities Radha and Krishna and is a celebration of love and the triumph of good over evil.

In Nepal, the festival marks the end of winter and the arrival of spring.

Although spring in Australia is still a while away, the festival’s vibrant atmosphere has carried all the warmth and liveliness of the season it celebrates – covering Mooroopna’s Ferrari Park in colour and the joy of new beginnings.

The free event, which was organised by the Greater Shepparton Nepalese Community (GSNC), drew a diverse crowd of 200 to the park on Sunday, March 24.

Locals participated in the festival tradition of throwing colourful dry powders on their family and friends, with the colours symbolising blessings and good wishes.

Fun evening out: Festival-going friends enjoyed the free food, music and colourful powder throwing.

The event was an opportunity for the local Nepalese community to share their culture with an already diverse Greater Shepparton community.

The Nepali music was very popular and children were kept entertained with games like spoon races and musical chairs.

A delicious mix of flavours and dishes were also available to enjoy, with many people contributing a plate of food to the free community barbecue for everybody to share.

State Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe made an appearance, thanking the community for the event and highlighting the importance of cultural festivals like Holi.

City of Greater Shepparton deputy mayor Sam Spinks also spoke to the attendees and Nepalese community about support for events from the council in the future.

Event co-ordinator and secretary of the GSNC Bishal Kunwar spoke of the importance of cultural events like Holi.

“Events like this from many different cultural backgrounds not only promote peace, but also make our society a more interesting place to live,” he said.