The Nepalese Student Association at Southeastern (NSAS), in collaboration with the Office of International Services and Student Wellbeing, hosted its annual Holi celebration Saturday, bringing students together to mark the Hindu Festival of Colors.
Holi, traditionally celebrated in early March, is known for its vibrant use of gulal, a colored powder that participants throw and smear on one another. The festival symbolizes joy, unity and the arrival of spring.
The colors used during the celebration also carry meaning. The powders at the event were made from natural plant and botanical ingredients. Red symbolizes love, blue represents the Hindu deity Lord Krishna, yellow signifies health and happiness, and green represents new beginnings and the arrival of spring.
“When everyone is completely covered in bright colors, social barriers like age, class and caste disappear. Everyone looks the same, making it a great equalizer,” said Mahesh Pandit, president of NSAS.
The festival is also associated with themes of love and forgiveness. Applying color to another person “is an act of affection and joy,” said Riyaj Chaulagain, vice president of NSAS. Hindu mythology often links the tradition to a story in which Lord Krishna playfully throws colored water on his lover, Radha.
Beyond its symbolism, organizers said the event is meant to bring people together. Holi is “a fun activity where we gather together and celebrate together,” Chaulagain said. The celebration is also connected to Hindu mythology, including stories commemorating the deity Vishnu’s victory over a demon king.
Festivities began at 11 a.m., with participants spreading colored powder across each other’s faces and arms, spraying water and dancing as music played.
Preston Rogers, a freshman physics major, said the event helped bring together students from a variety of backgrounds.
“At first it was awkward, but then once you got into it, it was really fun,” Rogers said. “There are several different people here from different backgrounds, but it was really nice to see everyone come together and have a really good time.”
