"Behind Every Cloud is the Sun!"
This was, shockingly, my first Holi festival. Having been to India several times I can't get enough of anything Indian -- particularly their joyous festivals. This one is always around my birthday, right at the beginning of Spring, and each year I have missed it. Who wouldn't want to celebrate the triumph of light over dark?! And, what sheer bliss to be covered in bright lucious colors!
My friend and I arrived at the tail end of this festival. We were two of only a few non-Indians and we were received with such love. The color packets were all gone so a lovely woman with the hugest most lovely smile grabbed me by the shoulders rubbed water on my cheeks and then smushed her cheeks into mine so that she transferred color onto my face. That was just the beginning of a day of love!
People came up to us from every direction with little bits of colored powder that they had left over. In the end we got all the colors and looked fabulously festive. Everyone was so generous and sweet and inclusive. And, the kids were so playful, like this little one who chased me around with her water gun in those snazzy superhero sunglasses.
Part of the fun is pouring water on each other to make the colors move, and to make your skin more accepting of even more color. Her secret mission was to get me as waterlogged as possible. She was hilarious! I know she had a cape under that outfit!
We also had two superb dancers grab us and teach us all the right moves to the blasting Indian tunes. It's just impossible to not have fun while doing Indian dancing!
So, if you want to celebrate the triumph of the light, get yourself to a Holi Festival next year. They happen in Indian communities all over the U.S. The largest, drawings 10's of 1000's is in South Fork, Utah. Can you imagine the level of joy with that many people frolicking in one place. A friend who has been said everyone is extremly polite too - even asking if you wish to have color thrown on you!
Bottom line: this is a feel good holiday celebration if ever there was one. If your heart needs a lift next spring, or you wish to mark the transition from winter to spring, google "holi festival [your town]" and see what you get! You will be welcomed with open arms and love, I promise -- no matter where on this mighty planet you find yourself.
Namaste Superheroes!!!!
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