Holi: Many Indian expats in Dubai postpone colourful celebrations due to Ramadan 2025

Dubai: Holi, the Indian festival of colours that celebrates the onset of the spring season, falls today, March 14, this year. However, thousands of Indian expats will be celebrating the festival only after Ramadan to respect the culture and traditions associated with the holy month.

Many Indian expatriates community members, especially Hindu families, would be marking the festival with prayers and special dishes. However, many are refraining from the colour play — throwing colourful powders at each other — the most prominent highlight of community celebrations of Holi.

While some small-scale events to mark the day are taking place today and during the weekend, a few events in Dubai, where participants sing, dance and play with colours, will be held after Ramadan.

Sunil Grover, whose company organises one such annual celebration in Zabeel Park, said the event has been scheduled for April 1. Colour play, live DJ party, dance performances and food stall are essential parts of these celebrations.

“Every year, around 10,000 people participate in our Holi celebration at Zabeel Park,” he said.

“This time we will be holding it only on April 1 so that Ramadan is over and Eid holidays begin.”

He added that some groups had held Holi parties before Ramadan began as well.

Temple celebration

The Hindu Temple in Dubai is marking Holi with special prayer sessions. N Mohan, general manager of the temple, said special prayer sessions began on Thursday and would continue on Friday.

However, the temple management has urged “all visitors to respect the sanctity of the Temple by refraining from playing with colours within the premises.”

Holi in the skies

Meanwhile, Dubai’s Emirates Airline said it “will be celebrating the most colourful festival in the world, wishing customers a happy Holi on-board select flights to India with refreshing Thandai drinks and sweet Holi treats” on March 13 and 14.

Emirates’ customers travelling to and from seven destinations in India — Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai, will enjoy the much-loved Indian sweet Kesar Gujiya, alongside their meal for breakfast, lunch or dinner, the airline stated.

“The deep-fried dumpling stuffed with solidified milk and dried fruits will be served in a specially designed box, reminiscent of the colourful festival of Holi. On March 14, First and Business Class customers will be warmly welcomed with cold Thandai — a festive drink made from milk and nuts, flavoured with fragrant saffron and rose petals.”

Customers can also get into the holiday spirit with up to 180 Indian movies including new titles, classic Bollywood and regional Indian movies, Emirates added.