Expats celebrate Holi within closed groups as it coincides with Ramadan
Residents organise house parties, play with colours on apartment lawns and enjoy homemade traditional delicacies
Families in Dubai celebrated Holi — the festival of colours — with water fights and colour battles but mostly as house parties celebrated within closed groups.
With Holi in 2024 coinciding with the sacred month of Ramadan, the Hindu celebration of colours was observed in a subdued manner as community members consciously embraced the essence of the holy month, a time dedicated to prayer and spiritual reflection.
The festival, which was observed on Monday across various regions of India and Nepal, symbolises the onset of spring. For Hindus, Holi represents the victory of good over evil. Taking place in March during the full moon night called Phalgun Purnima in the Hindu calendar, its date varies annually.
Khaleej Times reached out to a few Indian residents to understand how they celebrated the day..
A resident of Greens, Archana Vineet, said: “Every year Emaar organises the annual Holi party with the community members here, which is a massive event with live music, games, food stalls, and revellers throwing powdered dyes and spraying coloured water at each other. This year as Holi coincides with Ramadan, which is a time of prayer, the event was differently organised by individuals and families instead.”
So, Archana along with 16 other families in her apartment decided to enjoy the day at their resident's lawn areas.
She added: “We celebrated it on Sunday instead of Monday, as many people are working today. We went down with our colours and also did a potluck. We played Holi in the common ground and booked the community hall for lunch. It was a fun-filled day”.
Similarly, Jumeirah Park resident Bhavna Tandon Sharma said she misses home every year during this festival. But she tries to replicate the familiar ambiance in a modest manner.
“I had prepared traditional desserts like ‘gujiya' and the staple Holi beverage ‘thandai' at home. I went and bought Holi colours from the supermarket. This (Monday) morning before my daughter woke up, my husband and I filled a few balloons with coloured water and showered her with those balloons when she woke up.”
Bhavna added: “Afterwards, the three of us engaged in a playful water battle, soaking each other with the hose pipe. The only dry soul around was Joyce, our pet, and we put a little colour on her as well. It's always enjoyable to recreate these festivals in your own unique manner, especially when living far from home. It brings back memories of home and childhood”.
Shikha Nagori created organic colours using cornflour and food colouring. This resident of Springs who celebrated the festival along with her family and all her household helpers, emphasised that they began the day with prayers.
“Then my children did a Zoom call with their grandparents and took their blessings on the auspicious occasion. Earlier, we had German neighbours who joined us every year during the Holi celebrations. They've moved out and we miss them. I prepared some typical Holi delicacies at home,” said the UAE resident who has been here for a decade.
Meanwhile, if anyone happens to be airborne during the Holi festival, Emirates has introduced special Holi celebratory offerings on flights to certain destinations in India. Passengers can indulge in beverages like Thandai and delectable Holi treats while onboard.
Additionally, food and beverage retailers in Dubai highlighted that this year they've noticed a notable increase in the popularity of organic hues and savoury snacks.
Preet Vasudev, the co-founder of the luxury dessert brand Varak, stated: “This year, we observed a significant demand for organic colours and savoury treats, with a growing awareness regarding sugar consumption. Our boondi barks, especially when paired with thandai cookies, emerged as a major success”.
Others stressed that Holi coinciding with Ramadan meant more sales for restaurants.
Eti Bhasin, owner of Dhaba Lane, said: “The Holi weekend has been doing wonders as it also coincides with the onset of the third week of Ramadan, whereby families get along together. We have witnessed a surge of at least 25 per cent in total diners this week compared to the previous two weeks. Our festive gujiyas have picked up good sales, especially in the Karama outlet”.
Sunjay Sudhir, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, earlier reflected on the diversity of religions, faiths, and nationalities celebrating different festivals in the UAE.
He said: “This month is a blessed month as it's the holy month of Ramadan and at the same time this month we had Maha Shivratri, Nowruz. It's Holi now and before the month ends, we'll have Easter. What a lovely coincidence”.
Holi symbolises the onset of spring. For Hindus, the festival represents the victory of good over evil. Taking place in March during the full moon night called Phalgun Purnima in the Hindu calendar, its date varies annually.