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Holi Colourfest brings a slice of home to Toowoomba’s Indian and Nepalese communities

Toowoomba gathered together this weekend to celebrate Holi the Festival of Colours, Love, and Spring.

All the colour of Toowoomba's Holi celebrations

Hundreds of people from all walks of life gathered together at UniSQ on Saturday to celebrate Holi, a traditional Hindu festival.

The vibrant celebration brought together Indian and Nepalese Communities giving some of Toowoomba’s international residents a taste of home.

Nancy Shah, who has lived in Toowoomba for the past 18 years, said she saw the celebration, which is full of different colours, as an event for all people.

“We are all one, we are all human, so we can all enjoy this together,” she said.

“No matter where you are from, no matter what religion you come from, it’s all about coming together.”

Ms Shah came to Holi with a group of friends who are all Indian expats living in Australia and she said Holi reminded them of their home.

“It feels like you are back in your home, and it brings all the memories back with it,” she said.

At Holi Colourfest are (from left) Shveta Prajapati, Nancy Shah, Alka Mahida and Lata Trada. Picture: Kevin Farmer
At Holi Colourfest are (from left) Shveta Prajapati, Nancy Shah, Alka Mahida and Lata Trada. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The event was a collaboration between the Indian Communities of Toowoomba, Nepalese Association of Toowoomba, UniSQ Student Guild, NAT UniSQ club, and UniSQ Residential Colleges.

Nepalese Association of Toowoomba President Dhiraj Dahal said he wanted the event to include everyone and be a way to show other communities a bit about their culture.

“We want to include them and let them know what Holi is and that anyone can celebrate it,” he said.

“Being far away from home, why not make it feel like home.”

Dhiraj Dahal at Holi Colourfest. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Dhiraj Dahal at Holi Colourfest. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Recent UniSQ graduate Nency Bhadiyadra said Holi was a chance to meet new people and no one could be offended when you doused a stranger in colourful dye.

“We like to say ‘Bura na mano holi hai’ which means ‘you don’t mind, it’s holi’,” she said.

At Holi Colourfest are (from left) Vidhi Limbasiya, Kashish Patel, Nency Bhadiyadra and Krishna Limbasia. Picture: Kevin Farmer
At Holi Colourfest are (from left) Vidhi Limbasiya, Kashish Patel, Nency Bhadiyadra and Krishna Limbasia. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Muhammad Usama, who has lived in Toowoomba for the past year, is from Pakistan and although Holi is not a traditional celebration from his home country he said it was a holiday that welcomed anyone from anywhere.

“It’s an excuse to bring everyone close and spread love,” he said.

Muhammad Usama at Holi Colourfest. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Muhammad Usama at Holi Colourfest. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Photo Gallery:

Spreading the colour are (from left) Harsh Yadav, Samia Rani and Muhammad Usama at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Spreading the colour are (from left) Harsh Yadav, Samia Rani and Muhammad Usama at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Alex Mathew at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Alex Mathew at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Dhiraj Dahal (left) and Bishal Bhandari at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Dhiraj Dahal (left) and Bishal Bhandari at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Kushi Umaria on the water slide at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Kushi Umaria on the water slide at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
At Holi Colourfest are (from left) Shveta Prajapati, Nancy Shah, Alka Mahida and Lata Trada at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
At Holi Colourfest are (from left) Shveta Prajapati, Nancy Shah, Alka Mahida and Lata Trada at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Krishna Limbasiya at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Krishna Limbasiya at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
At Holi Colourfest are (from left) Tevin Tom, Alex Mathew, Isabel Jim, Gopika Nair, Marys Babu, Nivedi Tha and Jhaan John at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
At Holi Colourfest are (from left) Tevin Tom, Alex Mathew, Isabel Jim, Gopika Nair, Marys Babu, Nivedi Tha and Jhaan John at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
At Holi Colourfest are (from left) Tevin Tom, Alex Mathew, Isabel Jim, Gopika Nair, Marys Babu, Nivedi Tha and Jhaan John at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
At Holi Colourfest are (from left) Tevin Tom, Alex Mathew, Isabel Jim, Gopika Nair, Marys Babu, Nivedi Tha and Jhaan John at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
At Holi Colourfest are (from left) Tevin Tom, Alex Mathew, Isabel Jim, Gopika Nair, Marys Babu, Nivedi Tha and Jhaan John at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
At Holi Colourfest are (from left) Tevin Tom, Alex Mathew, Isabel Jim, Gopika Nair, Marys Babu, Nivedi Tha and Jhaan John at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Dhiraj Dahal (left), Bishal Bhandari (centre) and a friend at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Dhiraj Dahal (left), Bishal Bhandari (centre) and a friend at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Krishna Limbasia at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Krishna Limbasia at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Alex Mathew at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Alex Mathew at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Alex Mathew at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Alex Mathew at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
At Holi Colourfest are (from left) Joanna John, Jeffy Thomas, Christy Anna Saji, and Saniya Anna Sunil at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
At Holi Colourfest are (from left) Joanna John, Jeffy Thomas, Christy Anna Saji, and Saniya Anna Sunil at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
At Holi Colourfest are (from left) Joanna John, Jeffy Thomas, Christy Anna Saji, and Saniya Anna Sunil at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
At Holi Colourfest are (from left) Joanna John, Jeffy Thomas, Christy Anna Saji, and Saniya Anna Sunil at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Dhiraj Dahal (left) and Bishal Bhandari at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Dhiraj Dahal (left) and Bishal Bhandari at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Deva Priya (front, centre) at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Deva Priya (front, centre) at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Getting colourful are (from left) Bharak Godhavia, Drashti Godhavia, Nisha Patel and Sunit Patel at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Getting colourful are (from left) Bharak Godhavia, Drashti Godhavia, Nisha Patel and Sunit Patel at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Getting colourful are (from left) Bharak Godhavia, Drashti Godhavia, Nisha Patel and Sunit Patel at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Getting colourful are (from left) Bharak Godhavia, Drashti Godhavia, Nisha Patel and Sunit Patel at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Anshul Vasishth on the water slide at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Anshul Vasishth on the water slide at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Kamal Choudhary on the water slide at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Kamal Choudhary on the water slide at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Samia Rani and Muhammad Usama at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Samia Rani and Muhammad Usama at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Niraj Mahat at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Niraj Mahat at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Nisha and Sunit Patel at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Nisha and Sunit Patel at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Muhammad Usama (centre) at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Muhammad Usama (centre) at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Muhammad Usama (left) and Niraj Mahat at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Muhammad Usama (left) and Niraj Mahat at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Acsah Biju Varhese (left) and Deva Priya at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Acsah Biju Varhese (left) and Deva Priya at Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Holi Colourfest at UniSQ, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/entertainment/whats-on/holi-colourfest-brings-a-slice-of-home-to-toowoombas-indian-and-nepalese-communities/news-story/e5f3646467bf34c859ba22fb75814a4d