Asha’s rendition of Holi allows for a captivating combination of color and culture.

– Courtesy of Neha Kumar

More than 6,000 Bay Area citizens will assemble on Stanford’s Sandhill Fields to sing, dance and celebrate the Hindu festival of Holi, hosted by Stanford’s Asha for Education, on Saturday, April 7, and Sunday, April 8.

Since its initial debut in 1999, Asha’s Holi celebration has been steadily growing, according to Amruta Hardikar, coordinator for the Stanford chapter of Asha for Education, an organization that aims to support education in India.

“It [Asha’s Holi festival] is now known as the biggest Holi in the Bay Area,” Hardikar said. “Last year the turnout was more than 6,000 people. This year we are expecting more, hence the two day event.”

Proceeds from the Holi festival will be collected by Asha for Education to inspire educational change in India. 

“Our primary goal is to catalyze socio-economic change in India through the education of underprivileged children,” Hardikar said. “Stanford chapter supports 16 different projects, educating more than 3,000 underprivileged children every year. Holi serves as our main fundraiser.”

Hardikar believes that Holi provides a unique cultural experience for those who attend. 

“We want people to enjoy and indulge in this festival of colors and create an experience they will remember,” Hardikar said. “For many people the ‘charity’ aspect is like the cherry or the icing on the cake.”

The celebrations are set to begin at 11 a.m. and span until 4 p.m. on both April 7 and 8.