UNITED STATES, March 13, 2025 (RNS): Thursday marked the start of Holi, the colorful festival welcoming in springtime. But it’s not just for Hindus anymore. Anshul Virmani, a software consultant in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, said his colleagues at work begin asking about Holi long before his children do. “They always ask, ‘When is the color festival? When are you guys gonna do the color-themed event?’” Most Americans would be hard-pressed to name any Hindu holiday, but Holi, the vibrant festival that involves playfully throwing pink, purple, yellow and other brightly hued powders, has become far and away the most recognizable, if still mysterious, event for non-Hindus. In the past decade, Holi celebrations across the U.S. have increased, often filling up an entire month’s weekends or two. While diaspora Hindus are finding new ways to celebrate Holi in their new environs, from family-friendly confetti throwing at public parks to neon-glow parties at the hottest nightclubs, many are also sharing the tradition with a wider audience.

“We’ve seen a lot of people who are not from South Asia coming to our events,” said Virmani, who is an event planner in his spare time. His company, AV Entertainment, will host six Holi events this year, including a popular Holi Cruise Party on the Hudson River, with indoor and outdoor decks and eco-friendly colored streamers. “They are really our cheerleaders, and they keep encouraging us, motivating us to do more events like these.” Across the broad Hindu tradition, Holi celebrates the victory of good over evil, in some cases basing it on tales in the Bhagavata Purana in which Holika, a demon king’s sister, tries and fails to kill Lord Vishnu’s steadfast devotee Prahlada. Other Hindus trace Holi to stories of divine love between blue-skinned Lord Krishna and his consort Radha, to whom he mischievously applied colors to match his appearance. In some traditions, Holi is a two-day feast. In others, the revelry goes on for more than a month. Hindu families light bonfires (to burn away evil, but also to destroy Holika), share foods and sweets with their neighbors and then chase each other through the streets with colored powders, shouting the Hindi greeting “Holi hai!” (It’s Holi!)

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https://religionnews.com/2025/03/13/you-cant-spell-holiday-without-holi-hindus-share/

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