Holi Mahotsav 2009 3-5 April, Darling Harbour
The City of Sydney came alive in a spectacular festival of colours to celebrate friendship and harmony at the 7th annual Holi Mahotsav, organised by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Australia at the Tumbalong Park and Chinese Garden Forecourt precinct at Darling Harbour in Sydney. Unlike the other six years the event was spread over three days starting from Friday evening to Sunday evening. More than 180,000 people are estimated to have passed through Darling Harbour over the period of Holi Mahotsav.
Over the weekend, the grand festival attracted tens of thousands of visitors who absorbed in the colourful fusion of Indian music, dance, food and exhibitions. Saturday evening witnessed the symbolic Holika Dahan (Holi Fire). The sacred fire ceremony symbolises the emergence of good over evil. Unlike in India where it is done in an open space where devotees walk around the fire and chant prayers, in Sydney it was observed by lighting a symbolic bonfire within a designated fenced area. The color throwing session on the second day was enjoyed by children and adults from various communities alike. Boys and girls with color smeared faces and clothes enthusiastically wished a Happy Holi to everyone and looked forward to a colorful and bright new year. With chaos, laughter and thrill, it was interesting to see everyone enjoying and throwing colours in the designated area, whilst the rest looked on with delight, and perhaps even envy.
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