Tens of thousands attend Utah Holi colour festival

Tens of thousands of people have gathered at a Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Utah for the start of an annual two-day festival of colors.
The large majority of participants in the event at Spanish Fork are not Hindus, but Mormons, The Salt Lake Tribune reported. Thousands of students from nearby Brigham Young University take part in the festival, which is expected to draw 70,000 people.
Revellers danced to music, practiced yoga and threw coloured corn starch in the air once every hour during the all-day Holi Festival of Colours yesterday.
The event stems from a Hindu tradition celebrating the end of winter and the triumph of good over evil.

"It's an opportunity for young LDS (Mormon) kids to come and celebrate their spirituality without alcohol or drugs," said Caru Das, the temple's priest.
Das said the event feels more like a rock concert than a religious ceremony, particularly with live music.

Indra Neelameggham, a Hindu, said she doesn't mind if young Mormons partake in the festival.
"This festival has no religious significance. There are no prayers or no special services connected with it," she said.
"It has evolved in India -- particularly in the south -- over the years and now is mostly about tourism and marketing -- like Christmas or Halloween."

Das said the event is spiritual and many attendees feel moved, but the heavy presence of young Mormons doesn't dampen the event. The festival unites strangers in a common experience, he said.
He appeared frequently on stage, exhorting crowd members to give hugs to strangers and not to think of themselves as ordinary.
"Each and every one of you is lovely and brilliant. No exceptions," he said. "This festival is to remind you who you are."
The festival gives participants a chance to gain exposure to Hindu chants and beliefs while plastering others with dust of many vibrant colours that costs USD 3 per bag or USD 12 for five bags. The hourly throwing of rainbow-hued corn starch leaves participants drenched in colour.