Vibrant colors soar as kids and adults fling “gulal,” or colored powder, at each other. Their once white clothes become dusted with colors of spring, resembling fields of flowers to welcome the new season. Unsuspecting participants soon find themselves drenched in water, and laughter fills the air.

Also known as the Festival of Color, Holi is observed during March as a way to welcome spring and to honor the triumph of good over evil. While mainly celebrated in India and Nepal, Holi celebrations also take place in many places across the world. During the festival, participants throw gulal at each other to symbolize the vibrancy of life.

For Saanvi Bhargava (10), Holi symbolizes joyousness, a celebration filled with people and colors. Normally, she celebrates Holi at home with her family and cousins, playing in the backyard with water balloons and gulal. Last year, her family attended a Holi celebration at Stanford University, getting involved in the local community. 

“Holi, to me, means fun and a huge celebration of color,” Saanvi said. “I remember when I was younger, my family went to a Holi celebration with around a thousand people. It was so amazing to see so many people gathered to celebrate this holiday, and the music and food brought a lot of excitement.”

There are many different stories behind the origin of Holi. In many places in India, the festival is associated with the legend of the demon king Hiranyakashipu and his sister Holika. Holika attempted to kill Prahalad, a devotee of the Hindu god Vishnu, by burning him in a fire. Ultimately, she failed and ended up being consumed in the fire herself. This story represents the triumph of good over evil. While there are many legends behind the meaning of the holiday, it is also a way to greet spring.

“It’s a way of saying, ‘Oh, we’ve been in this bleak weather,’ so part of Holi is that spreading of colors to welcome the blooming of the season,” upper school math teacher Dr. Anu Aiyer said. “The powders represent those flowers through the colors.”

Other than the throwing of gulal, it is custom to light a bonfire that represents the burning of the demoness Holika. Other traditions include making “gujiyas,” which are dumpling-like desserts, filled with milk fudge and dry fruits. Many people also drink “thandai,” a spiced milk drink, and “rice kheer,” an Indian rice pudding.

I think I would say [good memories include] eating good food, especially some of the sweets,” Dr. Aiyer said. “It’s usually about people making elaborate things that you typically don’t make on a day to day basis, so it’s nice. Then, the other thing about Holi is that when I was a kid growing up in India, it was fun to celebrate.”

Whether a family celebrates Holi to welcome a new season, or to honor the good, different traditions allow people to appreciate the holiday. A holiday for all, Holi has various different meanings, but brings the same joy to all.

“Holi is a very colorful day where friends get together and just splash color on each other and enjoy themselves,” Anika Pallapothu (10) said. “It’s a great day to make memories with those around you whose company you enjoy. During Covid, it was depressing, but I was able to get together with friends and throw powder at them from far away, so the pandemic didn’t really stop me from celebrating.”