UAE: Holi celebrations at Expo 2020 Dubai mark return of festival of colours post-COVID

UAE: Holi celebrations at Expo 2020 Dubai mark return of festival of colours post-COVID

Dubai: Holi, the Hindu festival of colours, is actually a lot more than merely smearing each other with colours, as the festivities at India Pavilion in Expo 2020 Dubai and elsewhere in the UAE proved today. For the first time, the celebrations took place in a global arena in the presence of Dr Aman Puri, the Consul-General of India in Dubai. The celebrations held at the India Pavilion’s amphitheatre saw participants and visitors throwing flowers and tossing petals, marking (Flower Holi). Signalling the end of winter and onset of spring, Holi is celebrated as thanksgiving for a good harvest. It is celebrated in different ways under different names in various Indian states. The Flower Holi is celebrated in states such as Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. A Holi flash mob by the students of The Indian High School was also held at the pavilion’s amphitheatre. A musical performance by popular Indian playback singer Kailash Kher at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre at night was another highlight of the Holi celebrations at Expo. The day was described by Expo organisers as “one incredibly festive day to meet, laugh, forget and forgive". The Hindu temples in Dubai also celebrated Holi after two years due to