Hindu community celebrates Holi, the Festival of Colors

The arrival of spring means it’s time for Holi, also known as the Hindu Festival of Colors. 

The India Association of the Triad is hosting a Holi Festival this Saturday in Gibsonville. Organizers say all are welcome to experience the day-long event featuring music, food, and dance. 

Association president Shanti Mukherjee says the organization is committed to promoting and showcasing  Indian culture and heritage. She notes that the Holi Festival is inspired by the colors of spring, but it has taken on added significance. 

"All of us come together with one color, and it breaks the barrier," says Mukherjee. "Everybody can have a conversation with each other, everybody is on the same platform, we are no more standing on pedestals, we're no more divided by any kind of barriers — social, economic, or cultural. And that is the beauty and the significance of this particular celebration."

Mukherjee says there are about 1,000 Hindu families in the Triad. She adds that beyond uniting Indian communities, the India Association also aims to ensure that traditions are passed on to the younger generation.

The Festival of Colors gets underway this Saturday at noon at the Grove Winery in Gibsonville.