JEDDAH: A two-day Holi festival is bringing the colorful Indian and Nepali spring tradition to Saudi Arabia for the first time.
The Festival of Colors at Benchmark in Jeddah offers participants a chance to drench each other with Holi colors in a symbolic celebration of spring.
The delightful festival is celebrated across the Indian subcontinent as well as in countries with large Indian populations, such as Jamaica, South Africa, Malaysia, Britain and the US.
Hajjer Tariq, 25, who was selling Holi products at the festival, told Arab News: “The colors are made out of cornstarch, food coloring and water, and are safe for children.”
Ammar Ahmad, 15, said: “I have seen these color celebrations in Indian movies, but didn’t realize they were so enjoyable.”
The Jeddah event also featured a “live mural artwork” on the history of the Kingdom, with one section dedicated to King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Vision 2030.
Modified car show
A modified-car show organized by Group Different on the sidelines of the festival in Jeddah featured prize-winning vehicles from around the world.
Bandar Al-Omari, founder of Group Different, said the company had taken part in 60 events for modified cars and now was aiming to claim a Guinness world record by gathering 100 cars in one location.
