Holi Festival New Mayapur

India in the heart of Berry

The Holi Festival of New Mayapur is a unique cultural and spiritual event in France, organized at the Château d'Oublaise, an 86-hectare estate located in Luçay-le-Mâle, in the Indre department. This castle, surrounded by forests and meadows, has been home to the New Mayapur community since 1975, one of the European centers of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), founded by Srila Prabhupada. The Holi Festival invites the general public to discover the richness of Indian culture through its most joyful and colorful celebration.

The Festival of Colors: An Explosion of Joy

Holi, or the festival of colors, is one of India's most popular celebrations. It marks the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. In New Mayapur, Holi is celebrated in a festive and inclusive atmosphere: participants throw biodegradable colored powders at each other in a moment of collective joy. Live music accompanies this explosion of colors, with kirtans (devotional chants), percussion, and traditional Indian dances that set the rhythm of the festival from beginning to end.

50 Years of India in Indre

The 2025 edition of the Holi Festival took on a special dimension by celebrating the 50th anniversary of India's presence in Berry. Since 1975, the New Mayapur community has developed an ecovillage, a temple dedicated to the deities Sri Sri Krishna Balaram, Sri Sri Radha Govinda Madhava, and Sri Sri Gaur Nitai, as well as an organic farm. The Holi Festival is an opportunity for this community to open its doors and share its culture with visitors in a spirit of exchange and fraternity.

Indian Gastronomy and Cultural Discovery

Beyond the colors and music, the Holi Festival offers Indian vegetarian catering prepared according to the Govinda's tradition: samosas, dal, basmati rice, chapatis, and Indian sweets. Stalls showcase Indian crafts, incense, traditional clothing, and books on Vedic philosophy. The exceptional setting of the Château d'Oublaise, with its towers, gardens, and wooded park, provides an enchanting backdrop that transports visitors between India and Berry.

A Free Event Open to All

The Holi Festival of New Mayapur is free and open to all, including families, the curious, and lovers of world cultures. It is part of a program of events organized throughout the year by the community, including markets, kirtan festivals, and spiritual retreats. Holi remains the most festive and colorful event in this program, attracting visitors from all over the Centre-Val de Loire region and beyond each year.