(Photo by Ananda Henriksen)While celebrating the Festival of Colors, my wild side emerged. I found my pulse in the upper sanctum of the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple, melding to an ever-quickening drum, merging rhythm, chants, cheers, floor. Yet another facet of me surfaces.
The Salt Lake Tribune reported over 15,000 people in attendance and 25,000 bags of color thrown. I watched the mushroom cloud of color explode from a friend's traffic car. In reading various explanations on the origin of the festival I was impressed by the idea that Holi is a day during which concepts of caste and class are literally blown away on the wind. Everyone brings a different color, their self, to the festival, yet the celebration is the same for all. Each color lends to the beauty of the picture. Each person is marked by the colors of another. There is a thought to ponder.
In a way, this festival mirrors other holy celebrations in promoting unity. For example, one of the Five Pillars of Islam is the Hajj. The Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca. This pilgrimage is required of every able Muslim. Upon arrival in Mecca, Muslims change into white clothing and enter their mosque to worship. Once inside the mosque, prince and pauper appear the same. There is equality and unity.
For some, colors offer unity, for others it is found in white, but the purpose is the same.
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