Blue, yellow and red powder slipped through color-coated fingers as hundreds of people in downtown Baton Rouge’s Repentance Park created a massive circle and anxiously awaited the countdown. 

On “one,” a collective shout rang out and a colorful cloud billowed into the air, raining down on young and old alike. Families and friends laughed and threw handfuls of color at one another, leaving the distinct dashes of bright powder across white clothes all throughout the park as the city celebrated the March 9 Holi Festival.

Holi, otherwise known as the Festival of Colors, rings in springtime with bright colors and a celebration of love. Traditionally observed by Hindus, the festival has recently grown in popularity and is inclusive to everyone. Holi in Baton Rouge was no different, welcoming people of every culture with dancers, food, DJs and colored powder for all.

Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome emphasized the themes of love and joy for the day, and said to “spread it to someone by throwing a little love on them in all different colors.”

Mona Reddy, new to Baton Rouge but not to Holi, danced around the park decorated with henna, speaking with dozens of people. She loved that the festival was more cultural than religious. 

“How great is it that we can do a traditional Indian day here in Baton Rouge and celebrate with our generation and the next generation,” Reddy said as a smile stretched across her face, “and celebrate with people who are not necessarily Indian but ready to celebrate with us?” 

Past Reddy, two young girls played tag with handfuls of colored powder, hurling red and blue when the other got close. One screamed after her friend tossed an entire bagful of blue onto her already color-covered shirt and immediately gave chase to the culprit, brandishing her own bag of powder.

Self-taught henna artist Mehwish Mahmood spent her third Holi in Baton Rouge this year. At her booth, she offered complimentary henna with a homemade brown paste. Families took turns sitting down while she created art for their hands. She said that Holi is all about “bringing in spring with all the fun colors.” 

Mahmood traveled from New Orleans for the day and said that she’d always loved Baton Rouge’s Holi Festival. She mentioned the music and dancing, but especially that it was celebrated out in the open. 

Her henna booth overlooked the park at the base of the hill and she gestured out, admiring the hundreds of people that were gathered at the stage watching dancers, lined up outside food tents or dancing in front of the DJ booth. A hazy fog of colors hung over the scene.

“This is the best thing,” Mahmood said.

Though Baton Rouge celebrated Holi on March 9, the holiday’s traditional date falls on the last full-moon day of the Hindu calendar — this year, March 25.