Hundreds Celebrate Holi Hindu Festival at Royal Botanical Gardens
By: , March 25, 2025
Photo: Twila Wheelan
Attendees at Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colours, held on Sunday (March 23) at the India Jamaica Friendship Garden, Royal Botanical Gardens in St. Andrew.The Full Story
Hundreds of Indian nationals and friends of the Indian community gathered at the Royal Botanical Gardens in St. Andrew on Sunday (March 23) to celebrate the annual Holi Hindu festival.
Also known as the ‘Festival of Colours’, Holi was held at the India-Jamaica Friendship Garden at the Bandstand Lawns.
It marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring, symbolising the victory of good over evil, as well as love, fertility and renewal.
During the event, people of all ages smeared colorful powder on each other and sprayed water around.
The festival also featured cultural performances, dance, music and games, while some 15 vendors offered a variety of Indian and Jamaican foods, including drink and traditional sweets.
The event was organised by the Indian Cultural Society in Jamaica and supported by the High Commission of India and prominent members of the Indian community.
India’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, His Excellency Mayank Joshi, told JIS News that he was pleased with the turnout and “very happy to see the energy and vibrancy”.
“Holi is celebrated in Jamaica every year with great excitement and enthusiasm, both by the Indian community members and the Indian diaspora, friends of India and also the diplomatic community,” he said.
High Commissioner Joshi, who was celebrating his first Holi in Jamaica since arriving last June, highlighted the symbolic significance of hosting the event at the India Jamaica Friendship Garden.
He noted that the venue underscores the growing and strengthening of ties between India and Jamaica.
“I [was] very happy to see more than 1,000, maybe about 1,500 people… celebrating Holi, and children enjoying themselves so much,” he said.
Mr. Joshi thanked the sponsors, stakeholders and other interests supporting the festival, pointing out that, “it has been a collective effort by all”.
“We try to build on it every year. Next year, we will see if we can introduce more new ideas from different sections of the society,” he said.