Holi is the Hindu festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil as represented by the legend of Holika and Prahlad. The festival is most widely known for its ritualistic throwing of colored powder, called Gulal, that traces back to the mythological story of Hindu gods Radha and Krishna. The color of the powders symbolize things like love, fertility or new beginnings. Holi celebrations have grown throughout the years and the holiday has expanded beyond its South Asian roots. Though the official date of Holi is March 8, there are several events around the Nutmeg State throughout the month for people to participate in.
Here are places to celebrate the Hindu festival in Connecticut.
Children toss colored chalk dust onto DJ Kunjun during the India Cultural Center of Greenwich's Holifest and Color Throw at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich, Conn., on Saturday May 14, 2022. Although the Color Throw is highlight of event, there were plenty of other activities like Indian food, arts and crafts, DJ Kunjun providing music, henna tattoos and an ice cream truck.
Greenwich's community-wide celebration of Holi, HoliFest, is on March 6 from 3 - 6 p.m., and is presented by India Cultural Center. The celebration will be in Roger Sherman Baldwin Park and will have food, henna tattoos, a dhol player (traditional Indian drummer), music, dancing and the tossing of colored powder.
Tickets can be purchased online ahead of the event until March 5. Advance ticket prices are $20 for ages 12 and older, $10 for kids ages 4 to 11 and children under the age of 4 are free. Day-of admission will be an additional $5. Admission to the event grants participation in all activities, though food is not included in admission price.
On March 12, New York-based band Red Baraat will be holding a "Festival of Colors" performance at Sacred Heart University's Community Theater. The band combines elements of "North Indian bhangra with elements of hip-hop, jazz and raw punk energy." The performance promises to celebrate the Hindu festival by bringing a "colorful array" of South Asian sounds to the stage.
The performance will be from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Tickets are $25 for balcony seats and $35 for orchestra seats and can be purchased on the SHU Community Theater Website.
Danbury's Holi on the Green is set for March 25 at the City Center Green on Ives St. It was originally scheduled for March 4, but has been postponed due to expected inclement weather. The festival will have music from DJ AD SaaZ as well as a fashion show displaying traditional clothes and jewelry from India. There will also be the throwing of the Gulal, or colored powder. The event notes that guests should expect to "go home full of color" and to wear clothes that can get messy.
This all-ages event is open to all and free to attend. Registration is recommended and can be done on the Danbury Library wesbite.
Newington's Vallabhdham Temple is hosting a Hindu celebration on March 7 at 7 p.m. The temple is welcoming all to come participate in Holika Dahan, a bonfire that celebrates the legend of the burning of Holika, an evil Indian mythological figure. This bonfire traditionally occurs the evening before Holi in South Asian cultures.
The celebration will also have Holi folk music, rituals, food and more, per the event's Facebook page. No registration is required to attend.
The Avon Public Library is hosting a Holi celebration in its community room on March 8 at 4:30 p.m. The event will have food, music and the traditional throwing of Gulal (colored powder) outside the library. Organizers suggest bringing a change of clothes if participating in the Gulal part of the celebration.
The event is free to attend and open to all ages, though children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. No registration is required to attend.