Traditional springtime Hindu celebration brings hundreds to Folsom Ranch event Sunday
The air around Mangini Ranch Elementary School in Folsom Ranch was the filled with the sounds of laughter, music, and the popping of plastic packets filled with colored powder Saturday afternoon. Those colors, soon were airborn onto those in the crowd that participated in one of the areas Holi Festival celebrations.
“It’s such a beautiful way to celebrate the arrival of spring and to connect with our culture, said Rina Patel, who attended the event with her daughter. “It’s amazing to see so many people from different backgrounds come together to celebrate Holi and embrace the spirit of love and unity.”
The Holi Festival, is an ancient Hindu tradition that celebrates the arrival of spring and it is becoming increasingly more popular today in America as families of all backgrounds come together to celebrate what can best be described as a very vibrant and colorful occasion. Sunday’s event was organized locally by the Indo-American Club, Samasti.
Those who attend a Holi festival throwing colored powder, known as gulal, at each other, sometimes unexpectantly all in a fun and spirited fashion, they also smear it on one another’s faces. For a first time observer, needless to say it is an extremely colorful visual, resembling that of the long known game of “tag” that has been played by children for over a century but throw in a rainbow of colors flying about into the game.
When it comes to Holi celebrations, however, it’s not just an activity played by littles ones. Children, teenagers, adults and even seniors join in festivities of showering one another with colors as well as dancing to varieties of cultural music, and enjoying traditional Indian foods that was served.
So how did this traditional celebration all being before growing popular in America? Often referred to as, “The Festival of Holi,” is reported to be rooted in Hindu mythology and celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is said to have originated in the northern part of India, long before it spread to other parts of the world.
After being covered in the array of colors Sunday, families danced in celebration of, “joy and unity.” The event was rescheduled due to the storms over the previous weeks. Despite the change to the date, it was well attended with hundreds in participation.
Folsom vice-mayor YK Chalamcherla was in attendance of the event. Chalamcherla right in the center of the activity, covered in color like all of the others, enjoying the celebration and representing the city as a leader and a resident.
“It was so nice to see beyond Indian-Americans participating, playing with colors and having fun as a community,” said Chalamcherla. “Celebrating festivals like this will promote cultural awareness and build strong bonding among diversified communities of Folsom and the region and of course food was delicious.”
Those wishing to learn more about the event and its traditions can visit the website of the organizer at www.samasti.org.
