Although the calendar indicated that it was a late April day, our community of Doylestown, PA gathered to celebrate an ancient Hindu holiday called Holi which actually occurs in March. I had heard of the festival, had seen photos from all over the world, and know people who have engaged in the fun and frolic, but had not had the opportunity to join in, until yesterday. I more than made up for it, as evidenced by the photos.
Holi calls people together to celebrate spring, love, the releasing of resentments and the renewing of relationships. I’m all about that!
A group called Desis of Doylestown -Desi is a person of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan and Nepali descent, organized this delightful day that they called Holi Celebration of Colors. When the announcement landed in my FB stream, I knew I couldn’t miss it. I wasn’t initially dressed for the occasion, since I was going to be meeting a friend for dinner in town and wouldn’t have time to shower and change in between, but that was remedied by purchasing a white t-shirt to cover what I was wearing, at least on top. Dancing, food which was Indian themed, prepared by a local restaurant called Empanada Mama, treats from Evolution Candy, music, art and hugs…so many hugs, were highlights. I saw friends who I have only encountered a handful of times in the past few years since I have been sticking close to home. This outdoor event felt like the perfect re-entry.
We were invited to go to a table where a rainbow-hued assortment of bags filled with powder with a cornstarch base were waiting to be tossed and dabbed on willing recipients. Once the signal was given, people of all ages transformed into playful children. Feeling mischievous, I snuck up on friends and strangers alike and love sprinkled them. Laughter and joy abounded. With all that is occurring on the planet, the death and destruction, derision and division, this was much needed. Although many in attendance were not of the demographic of the sponsoring group, I view the celebration, not as cultural appropriation, but as cultural appreciation.
- Wishing you a very happy and colorful Holi!
- Happy Holi to you and to your loved ones!
- May the splash of colors bring joys to you and your family.
- May the colors of joy, happiness, and prosperity fill you and your family.
- Happy Holi! Wishing you and your family a joyous Holi, filled with love and laughter.
- May the colorful festival of Holi bring good luck and prosperity to your life.
- May God paint your life with the most beautiful colors! Wishing you a very colorful and joyous Holi!
- On the happy occasion of Holi, may your life always be filled with the colors of joy and happiness.
- May you be blessed with good health, wealth, long life, peace, happiness, and joy on the auspicious day of Holi.
- May God gift you colors of life, colors of joy, colors of happiness, colors of friendship, colors of love, and all the other colors you want to paint in your life.
Here’s to love, here’s to color, here’s to diversity, here’s to unity, here’s to shared celebration that enriches us all.
P.S. I met up with my friend for dinner at Cross Culture, which is an Indian restaurant in town with body and soul nourishing food. When I hugged her, some of the colorful powder rubbed off on her sweater, carrying the love from the festival out into the world. It took the equivalent of two showers to wash the rainbows from my hair and skin, but they will remain in memory and in my heart.
With permission of Thomas E. Brunt of TebWeb Innovations LLC
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All images courtesy of the author