Embracing spring
Gathering under gray skies, Harvard undergraduates gleefully covered one another in bright colors on March 24 in observance of Holi, the Hindu celebration of spring. The event, which drew more than 200 undergraduates from a range of religious and cultural backgrounds, was hosted by Dharma, Harvard’s Hindu Student Association. “Holi is primarily a celebration of the coming of spring and commemorates various aspects of Hindu mythology,” said Neil Patel ’13, co-president of Dharma. “The festivities usher in spring and the season of love.” The celebration took place on the Malkin Athletic Center quad, as it has each spring since 1998. Students covered one another in powders colored red, yellow, and blue. Patel says that stories regarding the religious significance and origins of the festival vary across different regions in India. While most Hindus view Holi as a celebration of the coming of spring, in some traditions the celebration serves as a commemoration of...