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29 March 2024

Indian festival of Holi brings a splash of colour for UAE residents

Published
By Bindu Suresh Rai

If the buying frenzy at stores such as Adil, Choithrams and Madhoor is any indication, then Indians across the country are arming themselves with colours and squirt guns in eager anticipation of the festival of Holi that promises for a fun-filled weekend ahead.

Celebrations are being planned across the country, with tradition indulging in a playful marriage of fun and mayhem that comes as a package deal with the Holi festivities. 

For those unaware, Hindus celebrate this spring festival across the world, indulging in throwing coloured powder and water at each other with élan to mark the end of winter season, with its origins dating back to the Vedic times.

The eve of this festival also witnesses the burning of the Holika, a tale that has passed down generations, chronicling the miraculous escape of Prince Prahlad – a devout devotee of Lord Vishnu – when the demon Holika carried him into the fire.

Sales of coloured powder has started to boom across Dubai, with Raju, a salesman at the Indian spice and goods store, Adil Trading, saying: “We have to restock nearly three times a day, sometimes more in neighbourhoods where we have more Indians.

Prices can vary, with 100 grams packets retailing between Dh2 and Dh3 in most shops, and squirt guns averaging between Dh5 and Dh15.

“I’m sure people will start stocking up from Wednesday evening, as Holi falls on Thursday this year,” Raju added. “So we are expecting to sell out by the weekend when the festivities begin.”

And this year, it seems the recession fatigue of past has finally worn off, with festivities being held across the country as families kick off the celebration in style.

Here’s the top pick from Emirates 24|7:

Holi Beach Party 2012 at Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa

For adults seeking a little more fun need not look further than the Holi Beach Party at the Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, which is also being held on, you guessed it, March 9.

Organised by Tamquest Entertainments, a deal with 50 per cent savings on the singles entry on online group buying website Living Social has already seen 215 tickets flying off the shelf in 24 hours.

Said event organiser Uttam Kumar: “We are expecting a huge group of Indian expats who are travelling all the way from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait to celebrate Holi with us.

“Also, due to the venue’s proximity between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in one day we sold 60 couple passes and 100 family passes to those travelling from the capital.”

Expecting a crowd of nearly 6,000 people, Kumar says the idea behind this event is to involve the Indian community on a bigger forum and also rope in those from different nationalities to get a glimpse of Holi celebrations.

“We also have a massive entertainment line-up that includes Bollywood DJ Lijo, along with local boys DJs Harsha, DJ Benson, DJ Hani and many more,” he added.

Kumar said that their phones have been ringing from 6am through 2.30am with eager folks desperate to grab tickets.

“This is the first time there is a Holi beach party being organised here and people are very excited,” he said. “Plus, we have logistical comfort with air conditioned washrooms, beach showers and a green room area for men and women.”

As it’s a hotel property, drinks and shisha would also be served at the venue, with the hotel expected to cater to Indian chaat items, which Kumar said should retail between “Dh10 and Dh25 only”.

Restrictions apply once again on colours as they can only be purchased at the venue, with special herbal coloured powder retailing at Dh5, with squirt guns between Dh10 and Dh15.

Tickets are priced at Dh60 for a single pass (Dh30 on Living Social until Thursday), with couple passes at Dh75 and family passes at Dh100. The event starts at 10am. Call: 055 643 2683

Rang De 2012 at Wonderland Theme Park

A traditional haunt for many celebrating Holi these past few years, organisers have pulled out all stops once again in an attempt to entertain after last year’s festivities seeing British bhangra act, RDB rocking the afternoon away.

Rang De 2012 takes place on March 9th at the Wonderland Theme Park, with some cool names from Bollywood and the world of bhangra, including actress and TV host Mahima Chaudary, DJs Shadow and Lil’D.

However, we are rooting for DJ Kamya, the first female dhol player in Dubai, who is certainly expected to get the crowds moving on the day.

The celebrations kick off at 10am, going all the way to 6pm, with a giant pool filled with coloured water for everyone to splash about and get down and dirty.

Tickets for a family of four cost Dh175, while a single person enters for just Dh50. Call: 050 3456182

Rang Barse 2012 at Iceland Water Park, Ras Al Khaimah

For those looking for some far-flung adventure for the whole family should make a day of it and drive down to the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah for a rain holi like no other.

DJs Sukhi and Ashmac will spin some thumping Holi tunes, while families and friends can dress in their festivity best and splash about their favourite colours.

Also being celebrated on March 9, the tickets for the Holi festivities at the Iceland Water Park cost Dh90 for adults and Dh70 for kids below 1.2 metres.

Again from 10am until 6pm, the tickets allow everyone full day admission to the water park, along with a storage facility to bring along a change of clothes after the festivities die down.

Food and beverage stalls and a special shisha and henna corner will also be set up.

Transportation is also available. Call: 055 5671307