Holi Celebration in Chicago 2011

Chicago has many Hindu residents. As such most of the Indian festivals are celebrated here. Holi also known as Festival of Colors is celebrated here with a lot of enthusiasm and vigor. There are many Hindu temples in Chicago and people flock to these temples to offer their prayers on the occasion of Holi.
Holi celebration in Chicago 2011 is expected to take place in the temples and community halls. Chinmaya Mission and the Shrine are other venues where the celebrations will take place. This year Holi will be observed on March 19th and March 20th.

How is Holi celebrated in Chicago

1. Hindus residing in Chicago get together and enjoy the festival by splashing powder colors or “abeer” at each other.


2. Local artists perform at functions that take place in these venues.


3. You will also find people dancing to the beats of Bhangra and latest Bollywood numbers as the DJs play remixes and dance numbers.


4. Dance programs are arranged in local libraries

People usually wear white clothes and it is a spectacular site to see them drowned in a riot of colors. Ladies prepare favorite Holi recipes. A traditional drink that is prepared on this day is the “bhang”. It is either served as drink or mixed with sweetmeat. However, children are usually not given this stuff as it may be intoxicating if mixed in large quantities. People return to their homes for their holiday breaks.

Holi celebration in Chicago 2011 will take place at the following :-

Address
Hindu Temple at 10915 Lemont Road, Illinois, 60439

The event date is January 21st 2011 to February 28th 2011. To book your space, you can contact Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, 630 972 0300. Several programs and cultural events are expected to take place in 2011.

• Holi or Spring Festival is also known as “Basant Utsav”.
• It signals the arrival of spring and bids goodbye to winter.
• Holi is celebrated in all the countries where the population of Hindus is dominant.
• Holi bonfire also known as “Holika” is set on fire on the first day of Holi.So, in 2011, it will take place on March 19th.
• Special prayer services are arranged at home
• Although it is a Hindu festival, it is celebrated by people belonging to other communities as well.
• In many places people take out processions. The sight of faces smeared with different colors is not uncommon

.
The common colors residents of Chicago use for celebrating Holi are as follows:-

• Silver
• gold
• green
• pink
• red
• purple
• yellow
• orange
.
So, if you are planning to visit your friend or relative this Holi, make sure you carry a packet of colors and some sweetmeat. This is a tradition and no one visits relatives and friends without carrying sweets.



Last Updated on 28/01/2011

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