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For Bhargav Manikantha Chintala ’20, the Hindu spring festival of Holi is a colorful celebration of thanksgiving, spring, and relationships.

March 15, 2019

By Bhargav Manikantha Chintala, ’20 M.S.

Holi, a Hindu Spring Festival originating in the Indian subcontinent, is celebrated predominantly in India and Nepal. It has also spread to other areas of Asia and parts of the western World through the diaspora from the Indian subcontinent.

Also known as the "Festival of Colors," Holi signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, and the end of winter. For many, it is a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships. It is also celebrated as a thanksgiving for a good harvest.

"We see many colors every day, so let’s just play with some of those colors and enjoy the celebration."Bhargav Manikantha Chintala, ’20 M.S.

The festival lasts for a night and a day, starting on the evening of the full moon day falling in the month of Phalgun, which falls somewhere between the end of February and the middle of March. The first evening is known as Holika Dahan (the burning of the demon holika) or Chhoti Holi, and the following day is Holi, which is also called Rangwali Holi, Dhuleti, Dhulandi, or Phagwah.

This year, Holi is celebrated on March 20, and it will be the second year in a row that I am not celebrating with my parents and friends. In the past, it was always a joy when Holi is nearing, as everyone thinks about how much we will play with the colors. I have said, "It is more like adding some colors to our life, rather than just playing."

At the University of New Haven, we had a Holi festival in 2018, and it is going to happen again this year. I am eagerly waiting for it so that I can play with the colors again and even introduce Americans to Holi and help them enjoy it.

We see many colors every day, so let’s just play with some of those colors and enjoy the celebration.