Festival of Colors celebrates ancient tradition

<p>Ashton Lewis, former junior in agriculture business, and Bradon Niles, former junior in German and international studies, duel off and throw paint at each other during the annual Holi celebration at Wolf Plaza. Lewis heard about the event from his roommate and dueling partner, Niles. Lewis said that his favorite part was just coloring other people. ARCHIVE</p>

Luis Zapata

Ashton Lewis, former junior in agriculture business, and Bradon Niles, former junior in German and international studies, duel off and throw paint at each other during the annual Holi celebration at Wolf Plaza. Lewis heard about the event from his roommate and dueling partner, Niles. Lewis said that his favorite part was just coloring other people. ARCHIVE

Staff Report

Five N.C. State student organizations, MAITRI, EKTAA, UAB, Delta Sigma Iota and Kappa Phi Lamda, will host a Holi celebration today at Harris Field from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

According to Saransh Gupta, a graduate student and president of MAITRI, N.C. State’s Indian Graduate Students Assocation, a symbolic legend explains why Holi is celebrated. The word “Holi” comes from “Holika,” the name of the evil sister of the demon king, Hiranyakashipu. Hiranyakashipu was given special powers that led him to feel superior and demand that everyone worship only him. His son, Prahlada, disagreed with him and remained loyal to Lord Vishnu, which infuriated Hiranyakashipu. Hiranyakashipu punished his son, but Prahlada’s faith did not waver. Holika, Prahlada’s evil aunt, tricked him into sitting on a pyre with her. While she wore a cloak to protect herself from the burning flames, Prahlada was not protected and was expected to burn. However, as the fire roared, the cloak flew from Holika’s shoulders to protect Prahlada, allowing him to survive while his aunt burned. Lord Vishnu then appeared and killed Hiranyakashipu.

Gupta said that, to honor this story in remembrance of the symbolic victory of good over evil, people hold bonfires and, the following day, hold Holi celebrations in which people rejoice the victor by playing with colors.

Today, Holi will be celebrated by N.C. State students by coming together to drench one another in color using color powder, water balloons and water slides, according to Gupta.

The event is open to the public. One thousand free packets of color will be given to the first people to arrive. Packets will be sold two for $3 and can be paid with cash or card.