Happy Holi

Holi, the festival of colours is one of the most well known Indian celebrations within the Hindu culture. It marks the arrival of spring, the triumph of good over evil and the spirit of unity and togetherness.
This year we had the incredible opportunity to celebrate Holi with our community members at Sri Durga Melbourne and it was an experience filled with laughter, love and a riot of colours.

What Is Holi?

Holi is an ancient Hindu festival with deep cultural and religious significance. It is traditionally observed on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Phalguna which usually falls in March.

The festival’s origins trace back to various Hindu beliefs with the most famous being the story of Prahlad and Holika. According to mythology, the evil king Hiranyakashipu sought to kill his son Prahlad a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu. With the help of his demoness sister, Holika. He devised a plan to burn Prahlad in a fire.

However, through divine intervention Holika was consumed by the flames while Prahlad emerged unharmed. This event symbolizes the victory of righteousness over wickedness, which is why Holi is often associated with the burning of negativity and the ushering in of positive energy.

Lord Krishna and Radha Traditions

Krishna, known for his mischievous nature once expressed concern about his dark complexion compared to Radha’s fair skin.

His mother, Yashoda playfully suggested that he apply colours to Radha’s face and this marked the beginning of the joyous tradition of smearing colours on loved ones, which is now the highlight of Holi celebrations worldwide.

Holi at Sri Durga Melbourne

Melbourne is home to a diverse and vibrant Indian community and Sri Durga Temple in Rockbank has long been a central place for cultural and religious gatherings. Every year the temple hosts a grand Holi celebration, drawing people from all walks of life to partake in the festival.

The event was a true reflection of unity, bringing together families, friends and even first time attendees who wanted to experience the magic of Holi.

As we arrived at Sri Durga Melbourne, the atmosphere was already bursting with excitement. The temple grounds were adorned with colourful decorations and the scent of delicious Indian food filled the air.

Volunteers and organizers welcomed us with warm smiles, eager to make the day special for everyone. Many attendees dressed in white clothing, were ready to be drenched in the explosion of colours that awaited.

Attending events like Holi have a lot of benefit for everyone, for many people who have come to call Australia home it is a way to bridge cultural connections by maintaining their culture roots as well as inviting others to join in on the fun.

While the celebration itself has religious meaning to the cultural holders, the theme itself is one of good overcoming evil and in a fun way of doing it. It's something we can all get involved in and it's hard to disagree with a movement that is pro good and unity.

Posted Using INLEO