Holi Hai! The first Holi festival held in the Garden City was organised by Hitesh Sharma and Sandeep Khanna of Revel Events, and took place at the Pallet Pavilion on 23 March 2014. The festival has grown in size and popularity. The 2023 event was at Hagley Park on Saturday 2 March, from 11am to 3pm. Typically there are food stalls, games and dance performances. Throw colours and dance to music from various DJs. Enjoy traditional Indian games, cultural performances and festive Holi delicacies.
Tips from Holi organisers:
- Wear old clothes as the colour may not wash out.
- Wear comfortable flat shoes that you don't mind getting stained.
- Bring cash to buy colour and enjoy delicious Holi food.
- Parking is limited so plan your trip before the day.
- Please do not bring your own colours. Our colours are corn-flour based, non-toxic and cosmetic grade. They are safe for children and adults.
- Sunglasses can help keep the powder out of your eyes.
Find out more:
- Like Christchurch Holi - Festival of Colours on Facebook
- See photos of Chchholi on Instagram
About Holi
The festival is traditionally celebrated throughout the Indian subcontinent on the last full moon of the Hindu month of Phalgun.
Holi derives its name and origins from a narrative found in the Hindu scripture, Bhāgavata Purāṇa, which tells of the sinful king, Hiranyakashipu. Believing himself to be more powerful than the gods, Hiranyakashipu was angered that his son, Prince Prahlad, who was a devotee of the god Viṣṇu, refused to worship him. Holika, the demoness sister of Hiranyakashipu, who was immune to fire, tried to kill Prahlad by leading him into the flames of a pyre. In order to save his devotee, Viṣṇu manifested in the world as the lion faced avatar, Narasiṃha, and saved Prahlad. This symbolises the victory of good over evil.
To celebrate the defeat of Holika, a holika dahan, a bonfire with an effigy of the demoness, is burned on the night before the festival. On the next day, the streets are awash with colour as people of all different ages and communities bombard their friends and strangers with coloured powder and water. People are encouraged to lose their inhibitions. Anyone, at anytime, can suddenly find themselves surrounded and doused with colour. In this way, the festival also represents the putting aside of grievances and the celebration of community.
One game, which is commonly played, involves teams forming a human pyramid to reach a pot of butter which hangs high above the street, while bystanders throw coloured water on them. The game has its origins in the story of Krishna (another avatar of Viṣṇu), who tried to steal butter from Radha and the gopis (female cowherders). The game has featured at previous Holi events in Christchurch.
Check out our collection of India related material.
