Holi festival brings Hindus to Pages Beach, spreading colour and happiness for arrival of spring

Geraldton’s Pages Beach was a canvas of vibrant hues as Hindus and their friends spread colour and joy with bright powder in celebration of the traditional Holi festival. About 100 people joined in on the Midwest Indian Cultural Society festivities on Sunday, smearing colour on those who turned up and saying “Happy Holi!” while kids poured water buckets and sprayed pistols of water at the grown ups. Organiser and MICS founder Hari Kumar said it was the fourth year of hosting the colourful event in public and it was always a great day out. Guests arrived in white but left covered in colour, but not before indulging in a spread of vegetarian curries and Indian sweet treats by catering company Mint and Pepper in celebration of the arrival of spring in the northern hemisphere. Mr Kumar said the celebration was not only a festival of colours but a symbol of unity, friendship, and love. “The Holi festival has a cultural significance among various Hindu traditions of the Indian subcontinent. It is the festive day to end and rid oneself of past errors, to end conflicts by meeting others, a day to forget and forgive and start anew,” he said. “It’s the welcoming of a season and spreading colour on each other, spreading love and friendship in a moment where we all come together.” The Holi Festival is celebrated across Australia and around the globe.