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A kaleidoscope of colour, music and dance was on display when Wyndham’s Holi Mela Festival exploded into life at Werribee racecourse last Saturday.
More than 15,000 people attended the traditional Hindu celebration to signify the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring in the northern hemisphere.
After a religious procession and bonfire, the crowd threw dry powder and coloured water over one another in a celebration of life.
Organisers told Star Weekly they were overwhelmed by the support for the festival.
Entertainment was provided by 50 Bollywood dancers, 10 DJs playing music all afternoon and Dohl drummers, and there were plenty of children’s rides and multicultural food on offer to delight the senses.
Festivals of South Asia secretary Hari Yellina said the festival was a huge success.
“There was 10 hours of non-stop activity and nobody wanted to leave,” he said.
“We were surprised by the diversity of the crowd. It was great to see people from all different cultures having a great time together.”
This year’s festival took on added significance, with Dr Manjula O’Connor, of the Australasian Centre for Human Rights and Health, leading an oath against family violence as part of the ongoing campaign to shine a light on the issue.
