The Holi Colour Splash festival invites you to unleash your inner child through vibrant colours and culture this weekend.

One Love Charity secretary Bela devi dasi Reid, who organises the festival alongside husband Dhruva Reid, says Holi is a great way to experience playful fun.

'There's no doubt that when you go to a Holi Festival and see hundreds or even thousands of people throwing colours, it certainly uplifts the consciousness and brings out the inner little child,” says Bela.

She says the festival is about 'casting the

social conventions that we're often stuck to aside for a couple of hours to play with your friends, family, and strangers - with young and old - it doesn't matter”.

Meaning among colour

'It's not just about the fun colour chase and frolicking; there can be more behind it if you wish to dig deeper,” says Bela.

Deriving from Ancient India, Holi in essence is about ‘the victory of good over evil'.

Traditionally held in spring when new life comes, Holi also represents forgiveness and brotherhood.

'Back in the day in the villages, when you had an argument with your neighbour, come Holi this was forgotten. There's no hate - you just forget about it and move on - at least for that day,” says Bela.

Strength through culture

Bela believes that the Holi Festival makes the Tauranga community stronger and celebrates the city's cultural diversity. She further shares that Holi is a great way for the Indian community to 'express and share a big part of their lives with the community in a very inclusive and happy way”.

'It makes them feel like: ‘Hey I'm bringing my home country India, to Tauranga'; and for Kiwi people they get a glimpse of what Indian culture is like.”

With loosened Covid restrictions, Bela says the community's response to the upcoming Holi Festival has been 'immense” on social media.

'I can certainly see there is a yearning for coming together and celebrating something that is lighthearted. It's very joyful.”

Festival goers will also be wowed by Indian dances such as Bharatanatyam, Punjabi and Bollywood along with Eastern and South Asian-fusion music. Food trucks with ‘tasty vegetarian foods' and Henna body art will be on offer too.

The festival will be held on Saturday, April 23, from 12- 3pm at Jordan Park near Memorial Park, Eleventh Avenue with free entry. Colour packages are $4 each or $20 for six.