OCR Text |
Show new/ MONDAY • APRIL 9 • 2007 A3 Tie-dye was a popular color at the Holi Festival this year Josh Titus News Writer Giant clouds of various colors of dry paint dust rose into the sky over the beautiful Hindu Temple two Saturday afternoons ago. Many UVSC students took part in the annual Holi Festival that has grown over the years. The annual festival of colors took place at the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Ulah. The festival after 6 p.m. might have appeared to some as a version of Woodstock. Thousands of people covered in tie-dye, dancing to a loud Hindu band. But the event was very symbolic of Hindu history. The lighting of the bonfire that burned a dummy of Holika, a demoness in Hindu culture, was in symbolism of Prahlad as a reminder of the story of King Hiranyakashyapu. The festival of colors is a symbolic celebration of this ancient story in Hindu mythology. Hiranyakashyapu desired to become a great. He performed penance to the gods and as a resul was granted his desire; Hiranyakashyapu became invincible. He abused his power by demanding all in his kingdom to worship him and not the gods. All obeyed except his son Prahlad. This upset the king and he made repeated attempts to kill his son. Hiranyakashyapu asked his sister Holika who was immune to fire to hold Prahlad and sit in bonfire. As Holika held Prahlad and sat in a fire, Prahlad prayed to the gods. The gods protected Prahlad and caused Holika to burn to her death. The Hindu culture is not often seen or experienced in predominately LDS Utah County. When asked about what he learned at the festival. Ken Johnson from Houston, TX said, "I learned that they sing Co|ors real mixed at 'y the annual festival hdd in SpaniSh their prayers, even to a rock tempo." During the bonfire and paint throwing, a band played a song that in the Hindu culture is a prayer. Jenny Brinkeroff, a freshman at UVSC, enjoyed the belly dancer that performed during the band's prayer, "I learned how important music and dancing was to exercising their faith. I loved the belly dancer. She was amazing." Ashley Williams from Ocala, FL said her favorite part was "Their willingness to open their culture to so many people of different faiths." The festival hosted over 3,000 people The favorite activity of the Fork festival seemed to be the dry paint throwing. Small bags of paint sold for $1 each. Last year, 2,500 bags were sold in less than 10 minutes. This year, 5,000 bags of paint were quickly sold off. Caru Das, temple priest and festival organizer fas quoted in the Daily Herald) said the temple could have sold 10,000 bags but ran out of time and energy to make more. The festival also sold vegetarian meals $6 each throughout the day. The Journey Impact Ranch, a program designed to aid youth that are in trouble with the law, had 15 volunteers to help serve food. > • : & . . Josh Titus/College Times LOOKING FOR A MOTEL WHERE JfOU CANREST IN PEACE? MM."the Pinewood Motel we feature: ^S-^' " .•"*..'*v£""v *\'-.-'V' 1 "'"^',,' ' "''. . .• - •- !lFree Movies Mexican official visits UVSC From OFFICIAL-A1 is, Jones said, "We must go to the core issues to solve the problem." "Jeffrey Jones's involvement with the National Presidential Advisory Board and his unique international background give a valuable global perspective to our institution," said Rusty Butler, UVSC associate vice president of international affairs. "Mexico and Utah have important trade relations, some of the strongest in the world, and agriculture is a critical component of these relations. His new appointment will be extremely significant in all agriculture relations and trade with not only Utah but with the entire United States, as well as with other countries." Jones graduated from Brigham Young University in 1982 with a degree in international relations. From 1997 to 2000, Jones served in the Lower House of the Mexican Federal Congress. In 2000, he was elected as a senator representing his state, Chihuahua. He has served as chairman of the committee on border affairs and has also been a member of the various committees and commissions on agriculture, agrarian reform, livestock and foreign affairs. el |