ASU celebrates Holi, the Festival of Colors

A sea of rainbow hues welcomed the beginning of spring on the Arizona State University Tempe campus March 23 as dozens of students celebrated Holi, a Hindu celebration known as the Festival of Colors.

The Indian Students Association and the Unified Society of South Asians hosted the event, which took place on Palo Verde Beach. Holi’s origins go back centuries, and students celebrated the changing of the seasons and more by throwing colorful powder on each other.  

From left: Shreya Mishra and Rojan Ghiya celebrate Holi at Palo Verde Beach on ASU's Tempe campus. Mishra helped plan the event with the Unified Society of South Asians.

Shreya Mishra, a sophomore at ASU studying business data analytics, is a member of USSA. She said Holi was a great way for the two groups to work together. The groups collaborated on everything from organizing activities to making sure they had food vendors.

“To me I think it just shows that even though there are multiple of the same kind of clubs, we can all work together and collaborate,” Mishra said.

Elizabeth Terlinden, a second year PhD student studying biological design, said this was her first time coming to the event.

“I like getting messy, I like rainbow colors and I like dancing, and this is a good excuse for all of them,” Terlinden said.

She said her favorite thing about celebrating Holi was gathering with her friends. She also said Holi reminds her of new beginnings.

“I’ve been trying to reinvent myself in some ways and improve, so it’s a reminder that it doesn’t just have to be a struggle. It can be a joy as well.”

Raghwendre Singh, who just graduated from ASU with a degree in computer engineering, said he came to the event to join in the celebration.

“It brings back old memories,” Singh said. “At this point in time of the year, it’s kind of nostalgic as well, so this is a way to celebrate and have fun.”

Singh said Holi is also a celebration of good over evil.

“It’s also to mark the beginning of spring, and it’s a celebration of love as well,” he said.