Festival likely to get messy

The public has been invited to the Holi festival at NorthTec on Thursday.

Have a traditional Indian lunch within an earshot of music and dance before all hell breaks loose with the smearing of powder paint.

The ancient Hindu festival of Holi is just around the corner and Indian students at NorthTec are inviting the public to join the occasion at the institute's Raumanga Campus next Thursday.

Holi is an ancient Hindu festival, otherwise known as the Festival of Lights, that traditionally heralds the arrival of spring in India and is held to celebrate life through the use of colours. Most of the celebrations would be held in the foyer of the campus' apprentice cafe while the paint throwing to be staged on the lawn overlooking the eatery.

This year's programme will start with a prayer at 11.30am followed by entertainment comprising of Indian music and dancing.

Food will be served from 12.30pm in packed boxes with an option of butter chicken or vegetable korma served with rice and naan bread.

The price is $7 per serve and tickets can be bought from NorthTec's international office.

If people cannot turn up to buy tickets beforehand, they could possibly reserve their lunch ticket through an email at international@northtec.ac.nz and can pay on the day.

The hour-long paint throwing starts from 1.30pm.

Paint will be provided.

NorthTec international marketing manager, Sakshi Vij, said the free event was open to the public of all ages and urged people to bring their family and friends along.