Indian communities gather to celebrate Holi in Brisbane - ABC Asia
Brisbane has been hit with vibrant colours as Holi celebrations begin, bringing a slice of home to the city's Indian community.
Hundreds of people gathered to celebrate one of the most significant days on the Hindu calendar, including Shivika and her father, Rishee.
They went along to Brisbane Holi with their family.
"This helps share our culture to all other people, and it can help us show like the amazing stuff that is in India," Shivika said.
Known as the festival of colour, Holi is celebrated at the beginning of spring, on the last full moon day of the Hindu luni-solar calendar month of Falgun.
The date changes based on the lunar cycle — this year, it lands on the 25th of March.
"This festival represents our culture … it's a religious festival for us, and it's like a Hindu new year," Rishee said.
Many of those visiting from India said they felt as though they were back at home.
Muskan attended with her friends, and she was not afraid to get covered in powdered colour.
"These kinds of festivals bring our community together, which is really good because we need to have that sense of belonging [in Australia] as well," she said.
For Brisbane local Jacob, the festival presented an opportunity for him to learn more about Hindu culture.
"I'm loving it! As an Australian, seeing Indian culture and everything like that, it's just really cool," he said.
"It's very important to have held this [event]."
He went along with his friend KP, who comes from an Indian background.
"It's really good for everyone to be surrounded with the community … it makes them feel like they're more at home by being here," KP said.
"I think it's very, very important these events to be held throughout Australia."
"That way people can be bought together making new connections and friendships all around Australia, that they can hold for life," he said.
Sunny Pathak organised the event, and said he was thrilled by the amazing response from the community.
This is the first time the city has hosted an official Holi event, and he hopes there will be many more in the future.
"I think every single person whose kids are here, they will feel that much more proud that Australia is such a country that is embracing that multiculturalism with both hands," Mr Pathak said.
"I think they will feel a lot more at home in Australia."
He hopes celebrating Holi becomes more widespread in Australia.
"My expectation was anyone who doesn't know what Holi is, I wanted them to get one of their friends with them so they understand what it is all about," he said,
"It's a cultural festival, it's all about rejuvenation, it's all about rebirth, it's all about welcoming spring."
"Holi is for everyone," Mr Pathak said.
