As Utah impatiently awaits the coming of warm weather, people of all ages flock together at the Lotus Temple in Spanish Fork to take part in an old Hindu Tradition: throwing chalk at people’s faces.
Now, of course, there is meaning and a spiritual ideal behind all of this; burning the witch of winter and welcoming spring. But seeing as Utah is a mostly Christian state, all we care about are the colors.
It’s a tradition here for most of the college students as well as high school students to go to the Festival of Colors. I’ve done it a few times myself! Around the end of March, thousands of white clothed teens and young adults hike a mile up the road to the temple, bubbling with excitement, begging recent attendees to throw chalk at them. But the real fun is within the gates of the temple itself.
The Temple sits at the top of the hill, beautiful and white…kind of..
Down below, you see the vast amount of people smashed together, dancing to the music, shouting “Hare Krishna!” even though they have no idea what they are saying.
Meeting new people is a given, since many run around hugging strangers. This guy danced with us, and may I say he had some impressive dance skills. 
And every hour on the hour there is a color throw. Hundreds throwing all of their colors at the same time. I recommend not breathing during these throws…unless you want to be coughing up purple for the next few days (:
It’s an amazing and upbeat environment. I highly recommend checking it out at some point. They have many different locations all over the country to celebrate the end of winter and the coming of spring! Also…it’s fun to get a little dirty with some colors!
Mary Jane xx
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Fierce and Freckled 