Dozens of Jackson State University students, staff, faculty and friends gathered on the campus intramural field March 27 for the university’s first Holi Festival, a Hindu festival that celebrates the coming of spring and the victory of good over evil.
During the festival in India and Nepal, thousands of people pour into the streets throwing colored powder and scented water on others. Jacksonians caught on to the custom quickly. Students, faculty and staff released the colored power into the air and doused each other with what was left in their hands. They also loaded water guns with a mix of colored powder and water and held a grown-up water fight.
“This celebration of colors is a good way to introduce JSU students to international food, culture and music from the Indian subcontinent,” said Dr. Lokesh Shivakumaraiah, Director of International Programs, which sponsored the event. “We want the entire campus and community to be involved.”
This event was one of many activities that JSU’s International Programs will sponsor to introduce students to cultures from around the world.
Participants were asked to wear old clothes and shoes as they would get stained in the colored powder water splash.
For information about International Programs, call 601-979-1611.
Fore more photos from the event, visit JSU’s Facebook page.