SPANISH FORK - In India, Holi announces the arrival of spring and the passing of winter, but most festival-goers in Utah only know it as an opportunity to throw powdered colors in the air and in people's faces.
"I just see all the Facebook pictures, and I'm like, 'I want some,'" said Paul Goodrich, a festival guest. "It's my second time coming. Honestly, I don't know what it's really all about, but I don't think most people do either."
A safe assumption is that most of the festival goers at Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork are not Indian or Hindu, and that's okay with those that are.
"We really appreciate the people coming together for our culture," said Srinivasa Chikkala, a native of India. "We burn the evil to bring the holika out of us, and then celebrate because the evil is out of us."
Thousands turned out for the festival, which started early Saturday and will continue into the night Sunday. The packets of powder can be picked up at the festival or bought online ahead of time.
While many arrive in white shirts, no one will leave in one.
"As soon as you walk in with the white shirts, everyone's throwing at you," Goodrich noted. "They're like, 'Oh, he's wearing white, get him!'"
An extra change of clothes is recommended for festival goers to change into for the car ride home. For more information about the festival, click here.
