'The whole world is but one family' - Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Australia

Holi Mahotsav 2010
Holi Mahotsav the grand festival of friendship
and harmony is celebrated with culture,
colours, folk and fun. This day is specially
chosen to forgive ‘foes’ and forget old differences
to become friends again. People from all castes and
religions come together to enjoy the spirit of Holi.
It harbingers the arrival of spring and new harvest.
In India during Holi days one can see colours of joy
everywhere.
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Australia has been celebrating
this festival of colours and culture in Sydney for
the past 7 years. In the 8th year of this festival the
celebration venue was shifted from Tumbalong Park
and Chinese Garden Forecourts to Aquashell in
Cockle Bay Wharf and Palm Grove and convention
Centre Forecourts. Spread over three days the festival
saw a wide range of cultural performances, delicious
Indian vegetarian food stalls, Rath Yatra and colour
sessions. More than 180,000 people were estimated
to have passed through Darling Harbour over the
period of Holi Mahotsav. The festivities of three days
started on March 12, Friday evening with ‘Images of
India’ portrayed through Kathak dance repertoire by
Olga Chepelianskaia followed by the ever so lively
Bhangra dances by Platinum Bhangra and two hours
of Indian DJ—Sydney’s Party
Guru Raj Khanna presenting a foot tapping Bollywood
extravaganza! The lively Bhangra and the Bollywood
music raised the energy levels of the crowd.
Saturday, March 13 was the day of celebrating
spirituality. The highlight being Rath Yatra—the Rath
(Chariot) of Lord Jagannätha being hand-pulled by the
ISKCON devotees and Sydneysiders through the busy
streets of Sydney, culminating into Darling Harbour
and staying at the Palm Grove. The devotees chanted
prayers and praises of the Lord while pulling the
Chariot. The Yatra was organised along with that of
ISKCON Sydney. The event also witnessed the sacred
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.
Yoga in Daily Life and Camp organized Yoga
demonstrations. The enthusiastic crowd readily took
part in the demonstrations. The cultural performances
did not take a break. The dances, fashion show and
musical performances took place in full swing after
the spiritual sessions.