You have some chalk on your face....

God loves Variety is the overall message that I understood from this year's Festival of Colors. At the end of the day some man gave a speech about bugs and insects. The point was that God made over 650,000 types of beetles, and why you ask? Because God loves variety. it would be boring if we were all the same, everyone is different and that's the way it is supposed to be. I am not sure how that tied in with the holiday that was being celebrated but that's okay it was still a good message.

 In case you have absolutely no idea what I am talking about, I will explain for you. There is a Hindu Temple in Spanish Fork called the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple, which is about an hour south of where I live in Utah. Each year at spring time the Hindus celebrate the holiday Holi, which in this area is celebrated by 50,000 people ages 1-50 years old, but mostly high school and college students that are not at all Hindu. And you buy colorful chalk and literally walk around and throw it on whoever you want and no one gets mad. You turn all kinds of funny colors, you get chalk in your ears, eyes, mouth, and nose. It stains your skin and you have to scrub hard to get it off, and it really is no fun the more you breathe in. But for some reason it is a lot of fun to throw at people and see how colorful you can get. Then every other hour everyone gets together in a bog group and throws it in the air at the exact same time. From far away it looks like a color bomb went off. It is ridiculous when you are in the middle of it!

Explanation of Holi: (from the reliable Wikipedia)

Holi is a religious spring festival celebrated by Hindus. Holi is also known as Festival of Colours.

The main day, Holi  is celebrated by people throwing scented powder and perfume at each other. The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad accomplished when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of god Vishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion.

Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna

In most areas, Holi lasts about two days. One of Holi’s biggest customs is the loosening strictness of social structures, which normally include age, gender, status, and caste. Holi closes the wide gaps between social classes and brings Hindus together. Together, the rich and poor, women and men, enjoy each other’s presence on this joyous day. Additionally, Holi lowers (but does not remove completely) the strictness of social norms.  

No one expects polite behavior; as a result, the atmosphere is filled with excitement,fun and joy.

Every year, thousands of Hindus participate in the festival Holi. The festival has many purposes. First and foremost, it celebrates the beginning of the new season, spring. It also has a religious purpose, commemorating many events that are present in Hindu mythology. Although it is the least religious holiday, it is probably one of the most exhilarating ones in existence. During this event, participants hold a bonfire, throw colored powder at each other, and celebrate wildly.

  I think these are the coolest pictures ever and really capture the moment!

If you can't tell it is actually a lot of fun and it would be great if everyone could experience it, and I think that is starting to happen because it gets bigger and bigger every year.