Community Corner

Holi Festival of Colors Celebration Comes to Milpitas

Bay Area Youth Vaishnav Parivar plans to celebrate with three major events: Holikotsav, Dhuleti and Dolotsav, starting March 26.

March 26 marks the start of a colorful clebration in Milpitas — Holi, also known as the Indian Festival of Colors. The Bay Area Youth Vaishnav Parivar, or BAYVP, plans to celebrate the Holi Festival with three major events: Holikotsav, Dhuleti and Dolotsav.

The festival welcomes spring, celebrates the new energy of the season and the passing of winter. 

Holi is celebrated by Hindus around the world and is known for being a celebration of happiness, music and laughter. Part of the celebration includes throwing colored paint and dye on each other in a fun, energetic and peaceful atmosphere that is filled with music and food, according to the book Festivals of India by Vedic Quest.  

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Here's a look at the Holi festival in Milpitas, according to the BAYVP: 

Holikotsav, 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26:

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Holikotsav is a ritual which centers around a bonfire ceremoniously kindled at the time of the rising moon. It is one of the most important ceremonies during Holi festival and it symbolizes the victory of good over evil.  Devotees will assemble to offer coconut, gulal, dhani, khajur and dry fruits to the holy fire.

Dhuleti, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 30:

Dhuleti, the main event of Holi, will be celebrated on March 30. On this day family, friends and the community come together in a spirit of love, friendship, faith and festivity by smearing colors on one another. It is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Phaguna and heralds the spring season.

Dolotsav, 3-7 p.m. on Sunday, March 31:

Dolotsav is a very divine sport of Shri Krishna. Dol, means large swing made from creepers, flowers, on which, Shree Thakurji and Shree Swaminiji swings together while other women friends (Gopis) sprinkle colored water, powders (Abir, Gulal etc) on the couple and amongst each other. Kirtens and rasiya recitals were performed in the BAYVP temple followed by Aarti and darshan for the devotees. 

BAYVP is located at 25 Corning Ave. in Milpitas. For more information, visit www.bayvp.org for more information. 

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