Holi Festival to bring color to Manila in 2015

MANILA, Philippines – The Holi Festival, a festival of colors, is back in Manila for the 3rd straight year on March 1 at SM by the Bay.

The festival is usually celebrated in the Indian month of Phalgun (March), and welcomes the season of spring. The colors of spring are showcased through the throwing of colored powder (or ‘gulal’ in Hindi) up in the air and at each other, and also symbolizes friendship and unity.

Legend has it that when Hindu diety Krishna was young, his constant complaint to his mother was his complexion, which he compared to his love Radha. Yashoda then proposed a solution, that Krishna should smear color on Radha, so they would look alike. Krishna heeded the advice, and the festival was born.

For the 2015 festival, Holi goers can expect a show featuring Indian folk and Bollywood dances, but will also feature drummers and DJs from 3:30-7:30pm. Gates open at 2pm, and earlybirds can check out Indian cuisine concessionaires and merchandise.

Check out the teaser here:

Activities are available for all kinds of interests. For the artsy kids and adults, try out Rangoli, a kind of Indian folk art where patterns are created on the floor using colored rice, dry flour, colored sand, or flower petals. For young kids who are in need of a stretch, yoga is available as well.

Tickets are now available at a pre-selling price of P150, and can be bought on site for P200. Tickets include entrance and colored powder. For tickets, volunteer opportunities, and other inquiries, contact Asia Society at info@asiasociety.org.ph or 550-2612 or 810-8983. – Rappler.com