Holi to make Christchurch colourful this weekend

MEDIA RELEASE - MARCH 2017

Holi to make Christchurch colourful this weekend

Christchurch's Holi Festival of Colours will back for a fourth time this Saturday. This time entry will be free and it will be at an even bigger and better venue.

The colourful event will take place at its new venue on the corner of Madras and Gloucester Streets (opposite Latimer Square). The new site which has been provided by Otakaro as part of its sponsorship of the event.

Holi co-organiser Hitesh Sharma from Revel Events says, "Holi is all about bringing people together and with the weather looking to be good this weekend, it'll be the perfect place for families to come and have some fun.".

Holi is a traditional Indian festival that is held around the world. It is designed to bring people together and strengthen communities. It is about connecting, forgiving and looking ahead. The throwing of powder colours symbolises everyone becoming equals, whether they are friends, foe or strangers.

Helping to get the crowd into the Holi spirit on Saturday will be entertainment group, Chant et Danse; performers TribalDiva Belly Dance Company; and Bollywood hip hop group Subject2Change.

International DJs will also be there to keep the crowd on their feet in the colour-throwing zone.

Indian food and traditional Indian games will once again be part of the day including the crowd favourite Matki Phod. This game sees teams of three to five work together to create a human pyramid and then try to break a pot of coloured yoghurt above their heads.

Event co-organiser Sandeep Khanna says, "This year there is a lot on offer for all ages. From performances to food offerings, there will be plenty for people to do and see.".

Holi will be held on Saturday 4 March, between 11am and 3pm, on the corner of Madras and Gloucester Streets (opposite Latimer Sqaure). Entry will be free. Holi colours will be available to purchase at $5 for two packets. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ChristchurchHoli.

§ Holi, which is one of the major festivals in India, is traditionally celebrated on the day of the full moon in March.

§ The holiday originates from folk stories, passed down through generations.

§ Each region in India celebrates Holi in its own way but it is widely recognised as a day to forgive, look ahead, and celebrate with colours as a community.

§ In India, the festivities begin the night before Holi with a Holika bonfire that symbolises the victory of good over evil.

§ The throwing of colours stems from a story about baby Krishna who had dark blue skin. Krishna was worried that Radha, who had fair skin, would not like him. His mother told him to colour her face in any colour he wanted. He did and they became a couple.

§ Dance performances, including the Ras-Leela, a re-enactment of the romantic dance between Krishna and his lover Radha, take place during Holi.

§ The 'matki phod' game celebrates the legend that, during his childhood, Lord Krishna used to form similar human pyramids to break a pot of butter or yoghurt that was hung far above him to keep it out of his reach.

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