Celebrate the Indian Holi Festival of Colours in Pattaya
Come join Pattaya’s Indian community as they celebrate their holiday of Holi. The Thai Indian Pattaya Business Association, in collaboration with The Indian Community Pattaya Association and Pattaya City, are inviting everyone to attend Holi, the Festival of Colours, on Saturday, March 11. The event will take place at the Central Pattaya-Beach Road intersection from 12pm to 7pm.
Holi is a Hindu festival that is celebrated in India and around the world to mark the arrival of spring, love, and new life. While some families hold religious ceremonies, Holi is also widely celebrated as a time for fun, with dancing, singing, and the throwing of coloured powder and water. Both Indians and non-Indians will have a blast at this festival.
The Indian community in Pattaya, together with Pattaya City, wants to make the Festival of Colours an annual event in the city, Pattaya Mail reported. The event is expected to boost tourism and allow locals and tourists to celebrate one of the most colourful festivals in the world.
Thanks to generous sponsors, there will be no entrance fee for this year’s celebration. Delicious food and snacks will be distributed free of charge. Attendees will also receive pouches of soluble colour powder at no cost.
Throughout the day, visitors can also witness the holy rituals performed by the ISKOM, who will recite Kirtans and Bhajans to worship Lord Ganesh, Lord Krishna, and Goddess Lakshmi. People of all faiths and nationalities are invited to celebrate with the Indian community in Pattaya.
Wearing a t-shirt is recommended, as participants will be splashed with colours. Holi, the Festival of Colours, is a unique experience that everyone should try at least once in their life. Join the celebration on Pattaya Beach, and make your day colourful, fun and unforgettable.
In addition to the coming of spring and love, Holi celebrates the triumph of good over evil. The holiday honours the Indian myth of the god Vishnu’s triumph over the demon king Hiranyakashipu.
In the legend, Hiranyakashipu asks his sister, Holika, to kill his son Prahlada, one of Vishnu’s devoted worshippers. Holika attempts to burn Prahlada on a pyre, but fails to do so, and ends up being burned instead. In the end, Vishnu manages to kill Hiranyakshipu.
In many places in India, a large pyre is lit on the night before Holi to celebrate the burning of evil spirits.
Each colour has a different meaning during Holi. Red symbolizes love and fertility; yellow is the colour of turmeric, a powder native to India and used as a natural remedy; blue represents the Hindu God Krishna, and green is for new beginnings.
Thailand has a large, thriving Indian community. Ever since around 2500 years ago when Emperor Ashoka sent Bhikkhus to Suvarnabhumi, many Indian priests, traders and common people have come to Thailand through the ages, according to the Embassy of India in Bangkok. Today, the Indian community in Thailand is estimated to be over 100,000 strong.
Indian culture has had a significant impact on Thai culture, particularly in the areas of food and religion.
