The Colors of Spring: Mines Student India Organization Hosts Community Hindu Holi Celebration

This weekend, the South Dakota Mines stadium parking lot will come alive with bursts of vibrant color as clouds of yellow, pink, green, orange and blue fill the air, welcoming spring and surrounding students and community members in celebration.

The university’s Student India Club invites the public to its annual Holi festival, the Hindu celebration of color, on Saturday, May 2, at 3 p.m. Marking the arrival of spring, the event will feature music, dancing, snacks and plenty of colorful fun. Attendees are encouraged to wear white for a truly “splash-tastic” experience.

The Mines India Club has been hosting the Holi Celebration for more than 35 years, said club president Varun Pushpa, doctoral student in materials and metallurgical engineering.

“It has become on of our most anticipated annual traditions,” Pushpa said. “Our main goal is to foster cultural exchange and inclusivity. We want to provide a space where the Rapid City community and students can come together to celebrate spring, let go of past grievances and enjoy the vibrant diversity that makes our campus and city special. Plus, it’s a great way to just have some colorful fun.”

Holi, along with the fall’s Diwali celebration, gives students a chance to reconnect with their culture and share it with the broader community.

The Holi celebration is free and open to the public.