HOUSTON, TEXAS, March 26, 2022 (Houston Chronicle): Vibrant shades of dust flew in the air as thousands celebrated the start of spring during a traditional Hindu Holi festival in southwest Houston Saturday afternoon. While this atmosphere rivaled that of a music festival, the event draws on a deeper cultural connection as participants partake in a joyous color fight celebration at the Hindu festival of love and colors that is a tradition in India. “Back there, this is celebrated on a very large scale,” festival-goer Bhavisha Thakkar said. “It’s amazing for us that we have a small part of it here.”
The 13th annual Houston Holi, hosted by Masala Radio, returned to the Shri Vallabh Priti Seva Samaj (VPSS) temple, two years after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the festivities.About 15,000 people and 50 vendors attended, according to Rinku Ghosh of Masala Radio. They enjoyed traditional Indian dishes, including chole bhatura, and chickpea curry. Free milkshakes and masala chai tea were also served.The message Holi aims to convey — through the throwing of colored powder at one another — is love conquering hate and seeing past colors, Ghosh said.The organic powder used by festival goers was provided by the Gujarati Samaj of Houston Inc., a nonprofit that coordinates activities that celebrate Indian heritage. A bonfire was planned for the end of the festival.
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