Hundreds of students and community members gathered at the McIntire Amphitheatre Saturday to celebrate Holi — the Hindu festival of colors. The event, which was hosted by the South Asian Student Association and Hindu Students Community, saw attendees participate in numerous religious ceremonies and throw brightly colored powder at one another in an on-Grounds celebration of the holiday.
Holi is the Hindu festival which celebrates the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. There are multiple legends behind the celebration, with one being the story of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, who attempted to kill his son Prahlad for worshipping another deity. Hiranyakashipu conspired with his sister, Holika, to attempt to burn Prahlad alive, but ultimately, Holika died in the fire and not Prahlad. Another story revolves around the love of the Hindu deities Radha and Krishna. Holi is celebrated on the last full moon day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month Phalguna, which was March 3-4 this year.
Saturday marked the first time that SASA and the HSC came together to host the annual festivities — SASA is a newly-formed student organization that seeks to promote cultural understanding and engagement among South Asian communities at the University. The HSC is a Hindu religious and cultural organization on Grounds.
Anila Noushin, events director for SASA and third-year Batten student, explained that the organization was created during the Fall 2025 semester to bridge gaps between the existing South Asian communities at the University.
“We have so many different South Asian organizations already like [the Indian Student Association], [the Pakistan Student Association] and [the Bengali Student Organization],” Noushin said. “But there was no club that was for the broader South Asian community. So it was really just [created] to get people talking to one another and … to [those] who are … of different ethnicities.”
Niki Patel, president of SASA and co-president of the HSC and fourth-year College student, explained that she believed the collaboration between the two student organizations for the event brought an even greater emphasis on the diversity of those who celebrate Holi. Last year, SASA had not yet been established and Holi on Grounds was hosted by the HSC.
“I think there’s a misunderstanding of Hinduism only being in India,” Patel said. “Hinduism is something that’s all around the South Asian continent … There’s people from all different backgrounds [here today], there’s Muslims here, Hindus here, Jains, Buddhists, Christians … to have that [diversity] reflected is really important.”
Attendees first participated in a puja — a process of worship which can involve prayer and offerings — just after noon. The puja was followed by a speech by Patel. Members of the HSC and SASA then performed dances for the audience before attendees were given cups of powder to throw as they danced to music.
In her speech, Patel explained the history of the holiday and its traditions, telling the story of Prahlad and highlighting her belief in its religious significance.
“[That story] just goes to [show] that this holiday is about … faith, starting anew [and] putting your faith in God,” Patel said.
Patel also explained to The Cavalier Daily the continued significance of celebrating Holi on Grounds for the HSC and SASA. She said that part of her motivation for ensuring that Holi celebrations take place every year is because Hinduism is centered around the philosophy of enjoying time with others.
“I would say [Hinduism is] more of a philosophy,” Patel said. “It’s about a way of life — the way of life to share with others and enjoy [moments] like this. [Celebrating Holi] was really, really important for us.”
According to Patel, it was particularly helpful to reserve the Amphitheatre for the festival, as there is no temple for Hindu worship in the City of Charlottesville, leaving organizers with a limited set of options for where to plan most events.
First-year College student Kanwar Singh said he regularly attended the Holi events in his hometown of Chicago at Navy Pier — the site of the nation’s largest free Holi event, held every March for thousands of attendees.
“It was very fun … [that’s] the least I could say,” Singh said. “I’ve been to Holi events at Navy Pier and so … I knew I was definitely going to come here.”
Attendees included undergraduate students, graduate students, alumni and families. Graduate Medicine student Jessica Rana said she appreciated connecting to the community Noushin and Patel both described.
“I came to connect with … the greater South Asian community in Charlottesville,” Rana said. "I thought the dance was super fun, people were lively, good music, good food, overall good vibes.”
Read More
Faculty Senate Executive Council discusses future engagement with new Board
By Cecilia Mould | 1 hours agoDuring an open forum discussion period at the meeting, Senate leadership discussed a potential resolution brought forth by Senate members, which would call for the Board to rescind its March 2025 resolution to dissolve the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Virginia’s tribal leaders discuss sovereignty and education at ‘Native Voices’ event
By Charlotte Gabriel | 1 hours agoAt the event, the panel of seven tribal leaders discussed the process of gaining federal recognition for tribal nations, the significance of tribal voices in history and in education and the maintenance of tribal heritage.
U.Va. School of Architecture celebrates 50 years of study in Vicenza and Venice
By Ruby Budetti | 1 hours agoThe new Mario di Valmarana Center is the University's first academic center abroad, with its 15,000 square-foot campus consisting of classrooms, studios, meeting rooms, exhibition spaces and lodging for students and faculty.
