“Holi Hai!” to all who celebrate Holi in our community! 

Holi, the Hindu festival of colors that celebrities the triumph of good over evil is March 28 and 29 this year. Holi recognizes the end of winter and beginning of spring; rebirth and new beginnings. The holiday falls on the March full moon each year, when a bonfire is lit as a form of prayer to cleanse away the bad and evil. The day following the full moon, the celebration of “the festival of colors” takes place when people throw colored powders at each other. Blue symbolizes Krishna, the Hindu god with blue skin. Green symbolizes rebirth. Red is the color of marriage and can symbolize fertility. Yellow is used for auspicious occasions.  

The Holi festival is most popular in India but is celebrated in various ways around the world. Here are ways you can celebrate Holi this year: 

• Listen to this Holi playlist on Spotify
• See what the festival looks like through this National Geographic video
• Listen to this Culturally Ours podcast on Holi Traditions

Best,

Susan Popko, Associate Provost for International Programs

 

Is there an international holiday you would like to see featured in an upcoming newsletter? Fill out this form and let us know why it is important to you and how you will be celebrating it this year. We will profile one holiday each month and give primary consideration to international holidays from countries that have not already been highlighted.