Celebrate the arrival of spring and join us for a traditional Indian festival of colors at the Seaport on Saturday, March 18, from 11 am–2 pm. The annual Holi celebration will be a spirited day of fun with brightly colored powder, storytime, puppet-making, dance workshops, and more.
Visitors can also sample traditional Indian cuisine like never before Enjoyed during this annual holiday and purchase Holi’s signature colored powders. Plus, don’t miss out on the outdoor Indian market on Front Street featuring Indian owned-businesses like Desi Natural.
Desi Natural specials at the Holi
Experience the flavor of India with Desi Natural’s delectable, genuine Indian cuisine!
Lassi
Our signature drink combination is comprised of two beloved beverages in India – Lassis and Yogurt Churna. Loaded with probiotics, fruits, and dairy, our blend has delighted Indian taste buds since 2014!
Dahi
If you’re looking for a deliciously creamy and probiotic-rich yogurt, look no further than Desi Natural Dahi! Our all-natural recipe uses only the highest grade A milk to ensure an incomparable taste every time. With our premium product now available in the United States, you can savor authentic Indian flavors from your kitchen.
Paneer
Treat your taste buds to culinary delight! Our delicious paneer is crafted with the finest grade-A milk and all-natural ingredients. This delectable cheese elevates kebabs, curries, flatbreads, and more to a new level of flavor.
Simmer Sauces
Delicious and hassle-free! Whether you’re looking to try our Butter Chicken, Tikka Masala, or Korma Simmer Sauce flavors, choosing your favorite protein and veggies will provide a quick meal that’s ready when you are. All three sauces deliver a savory Indian simmer flavor – saute, simmer, and serve for an unforgettable dining experience!
So celebrate spring with us at Holi at the Seaport! Let’s get together for a day full of color, culture, and tradition – all while celebrating the start of a new season!
What is Holi?
Widely known as the Festival of Color, Holi is always a grand occasion filled with joy and laughter. Friends and family can be seen smearing each other with vibrant-colored powder while soaking unsuspecting bystanders in water from their buckets.
This fun-filled event has roots in Hinduism and is meant to celebrate the coming of spring. Holi is celebrated worldwide, with each region adapting it to its own culture and beliefs.
Holika Dahan: Holi’s Origin Story
Holi celebrates an ancient legend about a wicked demon king named Hiranyakashyap who wanted to be worshipped as a god. To protect his son Prahlad from the king’s wrath, Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Narasimha and killed him.
To commemorate this victory of light over darkness, people lit bonfires on Holi night and celebrated their freedom with feasts and music. This tradition is known today as Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi and marks the beginning of celebrations for the next day.
On the morning of Holi, friends and family gather at homes, parks, temples, or any open space to playfully smear each other with powder in joyful abandon. The festival is an unforgettable experience that brings people together in harmony and joy!
Traditions at Holi
Every March, the vivid hues of Holi light up northern India as people come together to celebrate this joyous Hindu festival. Those participating are often doused in an array of fluorescent powder, with revelers laughing and embracing each other for many hours straight. Taking place on the final full moon day in Phalguna month – also known as Festival of Colors – it is a breathtaking sight observed since ancient times.
Celebrating the victory of good over evil, this historic ceremony celebrates the arrival of spring with bonfires, gulal (a vivid colored powder), tasty treats, and traditional songs.
The Holi rituals are something even the most traditional of families love to partake in. From setting up a bonfire for Kamudu pyre (Holika Dahan) and whipping up some delicious regional delicacies like gujiya, mathri, malpuas, bhang & thandai; to singing and dancing along with friends on festive Holi folks songs – there is so much joy involved! Visiting family members & relatives can make your festival experience more memorable.
Food at Holi
The festival of Holi is complete with the presence of delectable food. Indian cuisine plays a vital role during this colorful event, as many traditional dishes are cooked for friends and family to enjoy together.
Gujiya
Ghujiya and Holi are intertwined. No celebration is incomplete without this delectable sweet. If you’re looking for a sweet that will tantalize your taste buds, look no further than gujiyas! Filled with khoya (mawa), dried fruits, and desiccated coconut, the deep-fried crust is soft and flaky. Although only mawa or khoya fillings were available, many delicious variations nowadays exist.
Pakora
Pakora is an excellent fritter with its roots in the Indian subcontinent. You can savor it from street vendors or fine-dining restaurants, both common throughout South Asia and the UK. The delightful delicacy consists of vegetables like potatoes and onions mixed in a unique blend of gram flour batter before deep-fried to golden perfection.
Dahi Bhalla
Popular in Delhi and Punjab, the Indian delicacy Dahi Bhalle offers a unique combination of flavors. Its sweet-sour-salty-spicy composition makes it a delicious snack for any occasion – from family gatherings to special events. This treat will please the pickiest taste buds with its perfect tanginess balance!
Kanji
Refreshing and invigorating, Kanji is a one-of-a-kind seasonal beverage concocted with fresh black carrots that are fermented in earthen pots for a few days around the Holi festival. Packed with healthy goodness without an ounce of calories or artificial flavors, this delicious drink looks beautiful and aids digestion while being gentle on your stomach.
Lassi
Originating from Punjab, India, Lassi is a creamy and frothy drink that blends yogurt with water and different fruits or flavorings. There are numerous versions of lassi to select from; the sweet ones often contain curd or fruit like mango blended in with sugar, while you can mix salted variants with salt combined with spices such as cumin or cardamom for an added kick!
What’s on at the Seaport Holi Celebration 2023
Storytime and puppet-making
Gather your little ones for a free, unforgettable experience! Introduce them to the ancient story and help prepare them for Wonder Spark Puppets’ Holi Colors of Krishna’s Love puppet show. All you need is an advanced registration. Take advantage of this opportunity!
Colors of Krishna’s Love Puppet Show
This captivating production highlights one of the most beloved stories from Krishna’s childhood, engaging in games and antics with his friends and family, including his friends Radha and Sudama. This special event will be held on Saturday, March 18, at 11:35 am for all ages to enjoy. Audiences will experience dance, drama, puppetry, songs, and a grand finale where the children can play with their Krishna, Sudama, and Radha puppets. It is sure to be an unforgettable experience!
Dance and Drum Performance
Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Punjab’s traditional folk dance, Bhangra – guided by renowned dancer Sarina Jain, founder of Masala Bhangra! Get your body grooving to the lively beats and rhythms provided by Dholi Amrit from Premier Drummers. Experience an evening full of colorful culture and movement!
Powder Play
Celebrate the end of Holi in style! Everyone is invited, no matter their age or where they’re from. Starting at 1:00 pm on Fulton & Front Streets, you can buy traditional colored powders to play with and enjoy a unique part of this exciting festival. So don’t miss out – let’s make it an unforgettable day together by playing Holi!
Holi Collaborative Mural
To commemorate this special occasion, you can collaborate to create a stunning mural featuring all of the bright hues associated with Holi. Plus, every guest who participates in painting this masterpiece will receive a free takeaway printed by Bowne & Co. for them to customize as a memory of our colorful celebration together. So join us for an unforgettable day honoring holiness through art!
So Join Us!
Remember to mark March 18th in your calendars, as the Seaport Holi Celebration 2023 will surely bring smiles and joy to everyone involved! From puppet making, dance and drum performances, powder play, and a collaborative mural – it will be an event you will want to attend. See you there!
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