HMM Celebrates Holi

Ravi Ozarker
HOUSTON: Holi/Rangapanchami is a spring festival also known as the festival of colors and the festival of love. It is an ancient Hindu religious festival which has become popular in many parts of the world, as well as people of other communities.

On 16 March, the Houston Maharashtra Mandal (HMM) celebrated Holi/Rangapanchmi for the first time. Almost 200 people attended this event at Bear Creek Park in Houston.Organizers greeted guests by applying dry colors on their faces and wishing them “Happy Holi”. Despite the cold weather, adults and kids enjoyed the Holi event using dry colors and water. Attendees participated in exciting games and dances. Attendees danced on popular Bollywood songs while children were busy playing with water and pichkaris.

Puran Poli was offered to all attendees along with tasty thali. ‘Puran Poli or Puran Puri or Bobbattu or Holige or Obbattu or poli is a traditional type of sweet flatbread made in India in the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and Goa.
Overall the event was very successful. Some attendees commented that this was their first time playing Holi after several years. They said that it just felt like playing Holi in India.

For further information about HMM, visit www.hmmhouston.org