In honor of Holi, Rowan’s South Asian Students Association (SASA) showed its true colors, hosting a Holi Festival on March 31. The festival took place on the University Green at Bunce Hall.
Holi is a significant Hindu festival celebrated as the “Festival of Colours,” “Love and Spring.” The event is to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. The religious aspect of the holiday is to celebrate the love between Krishna and Radha.
As the story is told, Krishna was in love with Radha but he was afraid she wouldn’t love him as he looked different. To show equality, Radha allowed Krishna to color her with dye, now used during Holi.
Holi is celebrated on March 8 but due to weather and other factors, SASA had to push back the event to March 31. Puja Brahmbhatt, vice president of SASA, said that around 50 people came to celebrate and support.
“It’s just for anyone who celebrates Holi that since they’re away from their home, it’s a great opportunity for everyone to get together and play,” stated Brahmbhatt.
The event was not limited to club members or Hindus as many students participated in the event such as Dominic Cruz, a biological science major. Although it was his first time attending a Holi festival, it was a “10/10 experience.”
“It was so much fun. I had a great time. All my friends were there and throwing powder at each other,” Cruz said. “ I wanted to get really into the cultural holiday,”
Cruz was running around throwing powder at his friends and rubbing the powder onto his face.
When asked why he rubbed it on his face, he said “It just felt natural.”
For many students participating in the event, it was a great reminder of the holiday they celebrate back home. It was a great sight to see for Vini Patel, a finance major.
“This wasn’t my first time celebrating Holi but it is fun and very beautiful to see all the colors,” Patel said. “Celebrating this event in school and outside is very different. However, it is more fun at school because we are celebrating with our friends that we have made throughout the years.”
This is the second year that Rowan has celebrated Holi and Patel hopes it’s not the last.
“This event was so much fun and I hope this holiday is celebrated every year on campus,” Patel said.
SASA is a community for South Asian students at Rowan. The organization hosts events and provides all students the opportunity to learn, give back, network, make friends and have fun while celebrating and spreading their culture. Brahmbhatt added that the organization aims to be an inclusive community for anyone interested.
The next event for SASA is their “SASA formal” which will be held on April 7 from 7-11 p.m.
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