Colours achieve Unity in the air

The Festival of Colours is a celebration of the human spirit where participants throw coloured powder into the air with family and friends.

Due to it’s growing popularity, local organisers of the Festival of Colours are bringing it to Lorne on Sunday January 21.

It will be the first time the event has been celebrated along the Lorne foreshore next to the Surf Lifesaving Club. Held from 11am-4pm, the celebration will allow holidaymakers and locals alike to enjoy the colour and excitement of the unique festival.

Festival event manager Keshava Dasa said the Festival of Colours gives him a chance to celebrate one of his favourite cultural festivals from India with the community he lives in.

“It’s a chance to raise the vibe of the local community so that people can celebrate the simultaneous oneness and difference that we all share,” Keshava said.

“It breaks down all barriers and creates real unity among humanity. The Festival of Colours celebrates the oneness of human spirit, based upon an ancient festival originating in India.

“Krishna, the god of play, engaged in throwing coloured powders with his cowherd friends.

“The festival signifies the blooming of colour, which manifests when we exchange heartfelt friendship.

“The powder is imported from India and has an organic corn-starch base. All colours are organic too.”

There will be many activities held throughout the day, including the throwing of colours in unison every hour from the main stage, meditation, fortune telling, face painting, henna, jumping castles, kids games and animals.

“The performers at the Lorne event will be Beyond Birth and Death, a Melbourne-based Hare Krishna rock band, and Vraja Dhama, a techno DJ from Brisbane,” Keshava said.

“The lead singer of Beyond Birth and Death is the agricultural manager of Hare Krishna Valley, and is responsible for the protection of our cows and the construction of our local non-violent dairy.”

Hare Krishna Valley is a retreat centre and organic farm in Bambra, an hour and a half from Lorne.

To celebrate peace and harmony between humanity, the members of Hare Krishna Valley are staging this festival for the visitors and community of the Surf Coast.

“My role for the day will be to bring everyone together in a harmonious way so that the festival participants can enjoy themselves without distraction,” Keshava said. “I’m also the MC, so along with the band and DJ, I’ll help create the festive mood on the day.”

Throughout the day, guests will have the chance to purchase a wide range of delicious vegetarian snacks and meals as there will be no meat available at the venue.

“Bring your smile, an open heart and a white T-shirt for the best results,” Keshava said.

The Festival of Colours is supported by the Surf Coast Shire.

The coloured powders are available for purchase at $5 each or three packets for $10. Plates of food range in price from $5-$10, making it an affordable and fun day out for the whole family.

The Lorne foreshore is located next to the Lorne Surf Lifesaving Club.

For those who can’t attend on Sunday, another Festival of Colours will be held on February 25 at the Barwon Park Mansion, located at 105 Inverleigh Road, Winchelsea.

For more information, visit festivalofcolours.com.au.