Members of the local Hindu community celebrated Holi or “The Festival of Colors” at the Dunmore Community center Saturday, March 11. Attendees enjoyed dancing to traditional Indian music, a bonfire, dinner and the throwing of colors. Holi is a Hindu festival that is held over two days when the moon is full. The holiday signifies the end of Winter and beginning of Spring. The festival is fun with dancing and the throwing of colored powder. Each color has a significance. A large pyre is lit and people gather around it to pray that their sins are washed away. The day is meant to be a new start to forgive past errors and begin new friendships.
Hindu communities celebrate Holi, or “The Festival of Colors”
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Women begin the Holi Festival with dancing.
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Women begin the celebration by dancing to traditional Indian music.
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3-year-old Elaina Mahesh laughs as her mother dances with her during the Holi celebration.
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Shariah Bhatt, Shan'y Patel, 7, and Bhavin Patel pray before lighting the pyre.
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Priest Shariah Bhatt marks the foreheads of Shan'y Patel, 7, and Bhavin Patel as a blessing.
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Attendees gather around a pyre. Some throw wood, coconut and popcorn into the fire, meant to wash away evil.
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Attendees walk around a pyre while praying. Some throw wood, coconut and popcorn into the fire, meant to wash away evil.
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Women prepare to throw items into the fire.
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Attendees walk around a pyre while praying. Some throw wood, coconut and popcorn into the fire, meant to wash away evil.
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A woman pours water around the fire as she walks around it, saying prayers.
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Krishan Kumar feeds his 20-month old son, Shree, before the throwing of the colors.
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3-year-old Elaina Mahesh laughs after her father gives her colors.
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Children grab colors to throw at friends.
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6-year-old Dhwani Patel puts colors on her friend, Jinal Dave, at the Holi festival.
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A haze of colored powder hangs in the air as friends give color to each other.
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