Bollywood movies, YouTube videos and Facebook photos have taught most of us about Holi, the Hindu holiday welcoming spring, the “festival of colors.” The vibrantly colored Gulal powders are said to signify the triumph of good over evil. Click on any photo to enlarge it or view a slideshow.

Thanks to Karina Barcena and a core crew of helpers, Mazatlán has been blessed these last two years to have its own HoliFest. This year we had a group of people join us from Durango, and it included an Indian national who studied yoga with Iyengar himself.

Karina Barcena in front of some of the attendees

Taking place yesterday on the grounds of the Convention Center, the HoliFest Mazatlán event was attended by 2000 people, according to the organizers. Participants represented a huge diversity of folk: babes in arms through to grandparents, groups of friends and entire families. It ROCKED! The event included a guided meditation, a yoga class, demonstration, live Indian-style music with Inda and Yani of Kirtan, live reggae, and lots of dancing. And, by the way, it also included just a few colors!

I’ll let the photos speak for themselves. Be SURE to attend this event next year, planned for April 2017!