Sunday, March 21, 2010

Krishna temple hosts annual celebration of Holi

Provo Daily Herald March 20, 2010

buy this photo MARK JOHNSTON/Daily Herald Owen Busenbark, 3, of Provo, sits on his father Dawson's shoulders as they listen to a band play during the Festival of Colors at the Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork Saturday, March 28, 2009.

It's a reliable sign of springtime in Utah Valley. Several thousand strangers come together to frolic and pelt each other with colored powders -- by the end of the day, participants often resemble the survivors of an explosion at a food coloring factory.

Holi, also called the Festival of Colors, has gotten so big at Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork that, this year, they're holding it twice. You can show up on March 27 at either noon or 4 p.m. to participate in the most boisterous spring fling free-for-all in Utah County.

Pitching powders, which the temple provides at a cost of $2/bag, or $5 for three bags -- colored powders from outside sources are prohibited -- is only part of the fun during the festival. There will also be food, live music, dancing, a bonfire and the burning of an effigy of Holika, the Hindu demoness who gave the festival its name.

There are fees for food and the shuttle from parking areas at the Festival of Colors, but there's no charge for admission. Volunteers are needed to serve a variety of functions -- send an e-mail to utahkrishnas@gmail.com if you'd like to help out. In exchange for pitching in for a couple of hours, you can have either a free meal or festival T-shirt.

If you go to Holi

When: March 27 at noon and 4 p.m..

Where: Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple, 8628 S. State Road, Spanish Fork

Cost: Free and open to the public; plan to pay for food, festival shuttle from parking areas and colored powders

Info: (801) 798-3559, utahkrishnas.org

Parking: Plan to park at Salem Hills High School, Spanish Fork Fairgrounds or Spanish Fork Sports Complex; check utahkrishnas.org for information about access to parking areas.

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