BANGKOK (The Nation/Asia News Network): Thailand is celebrating the Hindu festival of “Holi" for the first time this year. Also known as the festival of colours, it is one of the most popular festivals celebrated by Hindus worldwide.
It marks the arrival of spring but also has mythological connotations as the commemoration of the divine love of Hindu deities Radha and Krishna, and the triumph of good over evil.
People smear each other’s faces with colours or pour coloured water.
Traditionally, the coloured powder was made from the leaves or flowers of various plants, such as neem, turmeric, saffron, and bael.
Today they’re usually flour mixed with food colouring.
Holi will be celebrated in Bangkok on March 12, from 1-10 pm at Bangkok World, around the Siam Amazing Park entrance with full Bollywood-style shows by famous Bollywood singers, actors and DJs in Thailand.
The event includes a ceremony of prayers by scholars to the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, and the remover of obstacles, Ganesha, from March 8-12.
On March 11-12, the event will have many savoury and sweet dishes from famous Indian restaurants in Thailand and Indian products will be on sale.
The Holi colour-splashing is similar to the water-throwing tradition in different countries in South-East Asia, including the Songkran Festival in Thailand.
The festival aims to send the message of brotherhood and humanity. To show this, people wear white on the day and keep the colour-stained clothes.
Tickets for the festival can be booked via the Bangkok World website - https://ticket.siamamazingpark.com/th/
