Our Bureau
Queens, NY
As Queens celebrates Holi with colors and Hakoba, thousands take to the streets of Richmond Hill, Queens on Sunday, March 23 to celebrate the beginning of spring and the Hindu festival Holi.
The annual 37th Phagwah Parade started long before the official kick off time of 10am as attendees splashed colored powders on each other while dancing joyfully along Liberty Avenue and on over dozens of floats.
Then, spiritual leaders who are members of the Federation of Hindu Mandirs recited beautiful mantras and prayers. This was followed by impressive Indian dancers who performed a traditional dance in regal sarees, NYPD Marching Band moving the crowd with their outstanding performance and dozens of D.J.s playing Indo-Caribbean and modern Indian music which led the attendees swaying cheerfully to the ecstatic rhythm of the beets.
Queens Borough President Richard Donovan and the CEO of Queens Chamber of Commerce, Tom Grech, donned Hakoba kurtas as they mingled with the CEO of Hakoba, Mukesh Shah, and other parade participants.
The parade that kicked off at Liberty Ave. and 133rd Street brought so much joy and color in the largest Indo-Caribbean and Indian community in America.
CEO of Hakoba, Inc., Mukesh Shah, who himself attended the Phagwah Parade, wished all a “Happy Holi!” He reminded them to be proud of their rich heritage. Specializing in the design and manufacturing of high-end Indian sarees, kurtas, lahanghas and traditional yoga attire, Mr. Shah invited all to experience the magic of India through fashion on the website of hakoba.
