Colourful day out for Southlanders celebrating Holi

Monday, 25 March 2024

The Indian community in Southland celebrated Holi, the festival of colours, at Elizabeth Park in Invercargill on Saturday. Pictured is Nikunj Thakkar immersed in the festival.

Colours, water and music dominated Elizabeth Park in Invercargill as people came together to celebrate the Indian festival of Holi on Saturday.

The event, organised by the Indian community in Southland, saw a “really good blend of Indians, international migrants and Kiwis”, community president Vinay Sood said.

There were more than 300 people at the event throughout the day, Sood said, which attracted many families with children.

Pictured from left to right Aniel Chandra (face hidden), Vinay Sood, Krunal Patel and Nikunj Thakkar, taking part in the 2024 Holi festival.

It was kicked off by a local DJ, and had Indian food and a stall for colours and water.

People from Nepal, New Zealand and different regions of India took part in the celebration, Sood said.

The Holi festival was popular with families with children, oragniser Vinay Sood said.

Holi is celebrated in India as the start of the spring season, the love of Hindu gods and the triumph of good over evil.

The festival was celebrated in other parts of New Zealand as well this year.