From MOHI / Lakshmy

If spring is here… can Holi be far behind? To those unfamiliar with ‘Holi’, it is an ancient Indian spring festival that celebrates the arrival of the new season in a fun, vibrant and colorful way! This year, Holi arrived on March 18, but given that it was still too cold to be outdoors, the Metrowest Holliston community celebrated this wonderful festival on Sunday, April 3rd at Stoddard Park in Holliston. Colorful streamers welcomed all those who wished to join. Colored powders (organic and safe to use) were made available. As no festival is, of course, complete without music and food, there was some festival-themed music and yummy homemade food to share. A special drink, ‘thandai’ made of milk, sugar and nuts such as almonds was also available (traditionally, cannabis leaves are ground into a paste and added—an ingredient left out for family-friendly celebrations in Holliston).

The Holi festival was traditionally a way for families and communities in north India to connect and rejoice over the arrival of spring. Typically celebrated over the two days, it starts on a full moon day of the lunar calendar. On the first day, known as ‘Holika dahan’ or ‘chotti holi’, a bonfire is lit to symbolize the victory of good over evil. Neem leaves are burned to remove the bitterness of life and to welcome sweetness and happiness. A mythological story behind Holi often told to children is of the demon king Hiranyakashipu who conspired with his sister Holika to kill his son Prahalad, who refused to accept his superiority over God. Holika, who was believed to be immune to fire, sat on a pyre with the young prince. However, Prahalad’s chanting of God’s name foiled their plans and resulted in evil Holika’s burning instead. In some parts of India, Holi is more of a celebration of love with the legendary lovers Krishna and Radha depicted as applying colors to each other. Today, in most parts of the world, this is the way Holi is often celebrated – with colored powders or gulal and colored water using water guns.

MOHI Parivar, the Metrowest Holliston Indian community, a non-profit, strives to involve the community in such celebrations. Apart from Holi and the most awaited Diwali celebration, we have plans for an Easter egg hunt and Garba, a dance event in September that honors and celebrates the feminine form of divinity. Keep a lookout on the MOHI Parivar Facebook pages for the event details.