A spectacular battle of colours will be fought in the nature and animal theme park “Terra Natura” on the edge of Benidorm on Saturday 22nd of August, starting at 10am, when the world acclaimed theme park and zoo will host a Hindu Holi festival on the occasion of the forty-second birthday of Petita the elephant!

Petita was originally rejected by the other elephants in the park’s herd, who apparently considered her “ugly” due to her lower than usual weight. But, with the help of her only friend at the time, another Indian elephant called Kaiso, she gradually integrated and was accepted, now becoming one of the main stays of the herd.

The Festival of Colour will begin in the amphitheatre, just after the birds of prey show finishes. From there, an Indian delegation of musicians and artists dressed in traditional Indian costumes, will give Petita an offering of fruits and vegetables and a large red coloured dot called a “bindi” will be painted on her forehead, as is tradition on birthdays and at special celebrations.

Everyone present will then be encouraged to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to the elephant, before the celebration changes venue to the area of Napastepur, where there will be a battle of coloured powders which have been especially imported from India for the occasion and water, accompanied by Bollywood style dances and a great deal of fun and everyone will be encouraged to join in. The origins of the Hindu Holi festival are in an event designed to gather together all of the family, to celebrate and to forget about any problems they may have and to move forward, sharing their joy and happiness (represented by the different colours) with those around them.

If it sounds like fun to you, then be at Terra Natura park tomorrow morning and you too can help an elephant celebrate her birthday in style!