Latest news with #AnjaliMavi
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
City's first large-scale Holi celebrations held
Hundreds of people were drenched by clouds of coloured powder at Southampton's first large-scale celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi. Observed by millions around the world, the event celebrates love, new beginnings and the victory of good over evil and it traditionally marks the end of the Indian winter. This year's event will fall on Friday but the Hampshire Indian Community (HIC) group organised its special Holi Hungama for all in Guildhall Square on Sunday. Anjali Mavi, from HIC, said that after a similar celebration was held at Corfe Castle in Dorset last year, it was the right time to bring it to Southampton. "We've brought colours, the sun is out and this much colour is giving us such a positive vibe," she said. Known as the festival of colours, Holi is traditionally a time to invite people who are not Hindus to celebrate. Leicester is thought to have the largest Holi celebration outside India and there are other major events in Australia and New York. "We have been working on this event for months and months and months," Seema Chugh, from HIC, said. "I was born and brought up in India and Holi's been part of our growing up. "It's the event when everybody gets together - you eat, you enjoy, you drink, you have fun, you play with colours. "We have been doing that for many years but on a smaller scale. "This time we wanted to bring that to the wider community because I believe in unity, in oneness. "We want to share with the wider community." Avinas Patel, chairman of trustees of the city's Vedic Society Hindu Temple, said he was glad the festival was being celebrated by so many. He said it was "bringing colour [and the] vibrancy of the Hindu religion to Southampton". You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Holi: What you need to know about the festival 'Holi is a religious festival for everyone' What is the festival of Holi?
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Large-scale Holi festival set for Guildhall Square
Southampton is set to host its first large-scale Holi celebration. The Hampshire Indian Community (HIC) is organising the event, dubbed Holi Hungama, at Guildhall Square on Sunday, March 9. The festival, which will run from 12pm to 5pm, promises to be a vibrant, family-friendly celebration of music, dance, cultural performances, food, and the traditional colour play. Holi, the Indian festival of colours, marks the arrival of spring and symbolises unity, love, and the victory of good over evil. The event is open to people of all ages and backgrounds, celebrating Southampton's diversity and promoting inclusivity. Holi Hungama will feature Bollywood dance performances, a live DJ set by DJ Mav, food stalls serving Indian delicacies, children's rides and activities, and optional colour play with herbal, gluten-free colours available for purchase. The HIC, a group dedicated to cultural and social initiatives, has been organising events across Hampshire for the past three years. The group has more than 3,000 members on social media and has collaborated with Southampton and Eastleigh Council, the NHS, and other organisations to promote cultural awareness and community well-being. Anjali Mavi, co-founder of the HIC, said: "Our dedicated Holi team—including myself, Renu, Seema, and Paran—is working hard to ensure a spectacular and well-organised celebration. "We are focused on every aspect of the event, from vibrant decorations, food, and music to engaging activities for children, all while prioritising health and safety." The event has already seen overwhelming interest, with more than 1,100 registrations on Eventbrite and an expected turnout of more than 2,000 attendees. GO! Southampton, Southampton City Council, and various local businesses and community groups are supporting Holi Hungama. Stephen Manion, executive director at GO! Southampton, said: "We are very excited that this joyous and very colourful celebration of spring will be in the city centre for the first time. "GO! encourages and supports new and growing events such as the Holi, which reflect Southampton's diverse communities and wonderful cultures." The HIC extends its gratitude to GO! Southampton, the city's Business Improvement District (BID), for their support and funding, which has helped bring this event to life.
