Holi – one of the most popular Indian festivals – was celebrated with full fervour by the students of Rotorua Hindi School - a division of the Hindu Council of New Zealand (HCNZ).
The Sunday (March 5, 2023) event saw the students celebrating the festival by covering each other with coloured powder and drenching with coloured water in a spirit of merry making at the Playtopia Educare.
In the afternoon, before the celebration, the Hindi teacher at the school, Shweta, explained the festival's importance to children during the class. It gave children a background about the festival and its significance.
Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm by people of all ages and backgrounds. Moreover, it marks the arrival of spring, the triumph of good over evil, promotes unity and brotherhood, and spreads joy and happiness. It is a time when people come together to celebrate the beauty of life and forget their worries, and it holds significant cultural and social significance in India. The festival is an expression of the rich cultural heritage of India, and it brings people together in a spirit of celebration and harmony.
Observed since ancient times, Holi glorifies good harvest and fertility of the land. The timing of the festival coincides with spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
Regarding the event, Prof Guna Magesan, President of the HCNZ, said, “It was a great day. It was great to see our schoolchildren celebrating our traditional festivals while away from India. Many children in our school have never even been to India, and such events are critical to keeping our younger generation in touch with our rich heritage. We endeavour to celebrate Indian festivals with our kids, so they understand and are proud of our culture."
The first Rotorua Holi Festival was introduced to the Rotorua public in 2010 by HCNZ. Rotorua Hindi School was formally launched on October 2 2021, on the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, for the benefit of children and others interested in learning Hindi. The Rotorua Hindi School runs on Sundays from Playtopia Educare at 2 Ti Street in Rotorua.
The Hindu Council of New Zealand (HCNZ) is a non-profit organization that represents the Hindu community in New Zealand. It was established in 1996 to promote and preserve the Hindu culture and traditions in New Zealand. It has been instrumental in promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding and building bridges between different communities in NZ.