The Bihar Jharkhand Association of Ireland (BJAI) multi-cultural Holi celebration was hosted in Caragh Community Centre, Ireland on Saturday, March 04, 2023. This ancient festival of Holi is held in India annually to welcome the Spring season. 

Even though Holi is a festival in India, it is now becoming a global festival. People from multiple countries are celebrating it.By celebrating Holi, people mark the arrival of the spring season and they thank the almighty for the good harvest. The celebration of Holi lasts for two days. The first day of the celebration is called Holika Dahan and the second day is Rangwali Holi.

This cultural program included a welcome address by the Ambassador of India to Ireland H.E. Akhilesh Mishra and his wife Mrs. Reeti Mishra, Lord Mayor of Naas Cllr Evie Sammon and other guest speakers which included Ex-Mayor of Naas Cllr Seamie Moore, Cllr Tracey O’Dweyer, Cllr Peggy O’Dwyer, Ms Annie O’Shea, Ms Gwen Byrne, Col Raymond Lane and Naas Garda officers Tony and Deidra.

The event started with lamp lighting by all the eminent guests and was followed by singing of the India and Ireland National Anthem.

The distinguished guests addressed the members of the BJAI family and audiences.

Children's groups performed folk dance followed by adult traditional dance and songs with Bollywood hits. People connected with each other and danced to some peppy Indian songs played by an in-house DJ. The showstopper event of the day was Fagua, a traditional Bihari folk singing style which is always associated with Holi and spring.

The room was filled with happiness, laughter, and kindness.

To conclude the celebrations we shared some bihari cuisine which included dahi vadas, malpuas and boondi. Volunteers enjoyed a day of traditional culture on a Saturday afternoon dancing together and had an outdoor holi with dry colour known as Gulal.