Thousands of people gathered in Sydney’s southwest on Saturday to celebrate the Fuldol Festival, a vibrant part of the Holi celebrations, at the newly opened BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir and Cultural Precinct in Kemps Creek.

The event attracted attendees from across Sydney and visitors from interstate and overseas, including the US, UK, New Zealand, and Japan.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the festival, praising its meaningful message. “Holi is a festival of colours that reminds us of the triumph of good over evil — a hope that continues to inspire us,” he said.

The newly opened cultural precinct, located near the soon-to-be-completed Western Sydney International Airport, served as a stunning backdrop for the celebrations.

Albanese described the precinct as “a work in majestic progress” and said, “This mandir is not just a place of worship. It’s a place of belonging, of tranquillity and peace. It’s a place that makes everyone feel at home, regardless of their faith or background.”

The Fuldol Festival, a key highlight of the Holi celebrations, featured music, dance, traditional performances, and vibrant displays of colour, symbolising the victory of good over evil and the renewal of life.

BAPS spiritual leader Mahant Swami Maharaj led the celebrations, blessing the crowd with sacred water and adding a deep spiritual dimension to the event.

Albanese reflected on the teachings of Mahant Swami Maharaj, saying, “His Holiness has always taught that unity is strength. When hearts are united, nothing is impossible.”

For many attendees, the festival was more than a celebration of colours — it was an opportunity to share their cultural traditions with the broader Australian community and reconnect with their spiritual roots.