The Festival of Colors

All you wanted to know about the Indian holiday of Holi

By: Sanjali Roy

Everyone is covered in vibrant colors: pink, green, yellow, and blue are smeared across everyone’s smiling faces. People are laughing and playfully chasing each other.​​ This event is none other than Holi, the Indian festival of colors. Millions of people around the world celebrate this fun holiday during February or March each year, in accordance with the Phalguna month of the Hindu calendar.

Holi marks the start of spring and celebrates the triumph of good over evil. It is celebrated over two days. On the eve of Holi, large bonfires are lit to symbolize the burning of evil spirits, and people sing and dance around them. On the day of Holi itself, people smear their family and friends in colored powder and paint from head to toe. According to custom, a troupe usually plays a traditional drum called a dhol and people dance while playing with colored powder. Each color represents different things: red represents love, blue represents the Hindu god Krishna, and green represents new beginnings. Afterwards, the festivities continue with a feast of traditional foods like gujiya (a sweet, fried dumpling), dahi bhalla (a savory yogurt dish with chutney), and lassi (a yogurt drink).

Although it has been celebrated for centuries, Holi is still relevant because it reminds us that we have to consciously fight for good over evil. Every one of us has to fight for love over hate, unity over bigotry, and peace over war. It is a time to be grateful for what we have while remembering what remains to be done.

If you also want to join in the festivities, Bharat, an Indian group at the University of Minnesota, is hosting a Holi event on April 16. Be there to welcome spring with a bout of colors!