Holi Celebrations In The United States
March 10, 2023
Earlier this week, on a full-moon day, people in India, especially in the north and in the major cities and towns, celebrated holi. The festival is a combination of several celebrations: the victory of good over evil, based on a mythological story; the playful fun of Krishna; the arrival of spring and the harvest.
While a Hindu festival, it is also a time to forgive and forget past grievances, and embrace love and unity.
Holi is celebrated in the United States, mostly by Indian immigrants, at gatherings organized by Hindu temples, Hindu religious groups as well as secular community groups.
Last weekend, for instance, there were numerous events in the San Francisco Bay Area, Houston, Atlanta, Florida and other regions. The color powders, thrown on friends and strangers in the crowd, are bio-degradable and skin-friendly, organizers said. There were DJs and live bands playing Bollywood music and vendors selling samosas, lassi and other Indian food.
Mehndi - temporary henna tattoos - being applied in New Jersey
Large community events are planned for many cities across the U.S. over the coming weeks, when the weather will be warmer: in New York on March 18; in New Jersey on March 25; and in Seattle on March 26.
Many of them are organized together with local institutions. In New Jersey, for instance, the organizers include the New Brunswick Free Public Library. There will be Mehndi (temporary henna tattoos) offered at the event.
Festival of color at Spanish Fork, Utah
Three big festivals of color are being organized by the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Utah, in a state where there are few Indians: in Spanish Fork on March 25 and 26; in Ogden, May 13; and Salt Lake City, June 3.
The Spanish Fork event is the largest holi celebration in the U.S.; around 20,000 attended last year. At the full day events, there will be yoga and mantras, in addition to the throwing of colors, music and food.
Tickets for the events are $7 for adults while admission for kids are free. Dry color powders - violet, green, yellow, pink, and orange - will be sold in 100-gram bags at $3 per bag. Ingredients are corn starch, permissible food grade dyes, and fragrance, say the organizers.
Smoking, drugs, and alcohol are banned at the events. Also, organizers warn celebrants: “Do not throw colors on any passing cars, or on any performers, musicians, and especially not on the uniforms of any firemen or police. If you do the latter, you might get arrested.”
Utah Punjabi Arts Academy will perform bhangra at the holi festival .
