Laughter echoes through Ron Barassi Senior Park, as ancient traditions mix with techno beats and vibrant powders paint faces — showing that we are all one.

That's Holi, the annual traditional Indian festival for which thousands of people gathered at Melbourne's Docklands in late March. 

Also known as "the festival of colours", Holi is deeply rooted in the victory of justice over evil and the coming of spring. 

It has become a symbol of Melbourne's multicultural identity.

With the city skyline as the backdrop, people from different cultures came together to throw edible coloured powders — symbolic of ways this city brings multiple cultures together. They also danced to music and shared Indian street food. 

Korean tourist Sue Min Lee enjoyed the experience.

"When a six-year-old boy handed me the coloured powder and said, 'Now you're my friend', I suddenly felt that life is good," she said, pointing to the blue powder in her hair and smiling.

Chinese student Ma Rui pointed to the cuffs of her shirt, which were full of coloured powder, and said: "Here, everyone becomes part of the activity."

The Holi Festival is a lively reflection of Melbourne's soul: a kaleidoscopic collision of people, cultures and shared happiness.

This free celebration of colour returns to Docklands each year, offering Melburnians and visitors the chance to connect us to one another.