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Roslindale, Massachusetts, U.S.A. – Clouds of bright pink, blue, yellow, and green filled the air, covering everyone in bursts of color.
Laughter, music, and the sound of people shouting in joy surrounded me, and it felt like pure happiness was in the air.
Holi is an Indian festival that marks the arrival of spring and celebrates the victory of good over evil. The tradition of throwing colors also celebrates the eternal and divine love of the Hindu deities Radha and Krishna.
This year, I got to experience Holi in a way I never had before. As a South Indian, I never formally celebrated it growing up.
Holi is more widely celebrated in North India, and it’s not a tradition we observe in my community.
The celebration took place in a small park. The DJ was playing Bollywood hits, and the crowd was fully in sync, jumping, spinning, and singing along. Some people knew every word, while others just went with the flow, enjoying the energy of the moment.
The whole atmosphere was contagious, and I found myself caught up in it.
I loved how the crowd wasn’t just Indian – people from all backgrounds had come together to celebrate.
At the festival, there were several booths selling different items. Food stalls offered traditional Indian street food, including samosas, chaat, and jalebi.
There were also booths selling colored powders, allowing everyone to participate in the color throwing tradition.
Additionally, jewelry booths displayed items like bangles, earrings, and necklaces. For those interested in traditional attire, there were stands selling saris, kurtas, and dupattas.
One popular stand offered many mehendi, or henna designs, which caught the attention of me and my friends.
I never realized the strength Holi had to bring people together, and it was clear everyone was enjoying the celebration.
Whether it was dancing, eating, or just watching and soaking in the vibe, I loved that everyone was part of the experience.
Shiara Naveen is a Reporter with Youth Journalism International.
