Caru Das is bringing the spirit and color associated with Utah’s Krishna Temple to Ogden.

“A lot of people in Ogden have been asking about having one up there, and we wanted to make the experience available, especially to young people who might not travel to Spanish Fork,” said Das, the festival coordinator long associated with the Holi Color Festival in Spanish Fork.

“It’s not just throwing color. There’s a transformational and purifying effect of the music, the food, the yoga and the message from the stage.”

The Holi is associated with several Indian legends, but in modern times has become commonly linked with spring and new beginnings, Das said.

“It represents colors that burst forth after a stark, barren winter,” he said. “Seeds that lay dormant under the ground blossom. In India, people used to celebrate with ground up flower petals. Now it’s basically colored corn starch.

“The rational behind doing 20 festivals now, even into September, is we should always be trying for renewal, every single day. We shake of the old and change patterns of things for the better. The metaphor of colors is appropriate, and not less appropriate in other seasons as well.”

The Saturday, May 23 music and dance program will feature artists well known to the Holi community, Das said.

Noon-12:15 p.m. is dancer Malini.

“She is trained in American dance, Bollywood, fusion and rap,” Das said. “She dances to a sound track prepared by a D.J..”

At 12:15 p.m., Jai Krisha and Ananda Groove takes over.

“It’s a Utah Valley band that has been playing that the Spanish Fork Color Fest for 15 years,” Das said. “It has two lead guitars, a base guitar, a drum set, ukulele, Irish pipes, bagpipes, as well as a kazoo. It’s one of our best groups.”

At 1:30, the act is Lokah Bhakti and Yogalikit Dance.

“Lokan is a brilliant yoga instructor, and he combines the elements of zumba and yoga.”

Up at 2 p.m. is T.K. and Namrock.

“They’re from San Diego and have about a dozen CDs to their credit,” Das said. “They sing conscious music with thought-provoking lyrics, interspersed with repetitive mantras.”

In fact, many of the groups use chants and mantras as their choruses, Das said.

At 3:30 p.m., Malini Dance returns to the stage.

In addition, the festival will have a yoga stage with a guest leading exercises. Lokah Bhakti is at 12:30 p.m., Jai Krishna follows at 1:30, and Malina starts at 2:30 p.m.

“It’s yoga suitable for beginners,” Das said. “You don’t have to be adept. We encourage everybody to do it, and even to try it for a first time. As we grow older we lose flexibility, and yoga is the perfect anti-aging process.

Children can enjoy a bounce house for free, and concession stands will sell food.

And, of course, there will be color throws.

“We start at noon, and throw colors on the hour at 1, 2, 3 and 4,” Das said.

Bags of colored powder can be purchased for a dollar a bag, or four bags for $10. Some people also buy eight for $20, Das said.

Das said he takes no salary for organizing festivals.

“We want to share some wisdom with the young people, and help them make better choices in their lives.”

Das also said he doesn’t expect the Ogden festival to break even the first year, but perhaps make a profit as it grows.

Finally, a bit of advice:

“Don’t wear expensive clothes,” Das said. “We also tell people not to throw colors in faces or eyes.”

The festival will sell eye wear, bandanas and dusk masks, or people can bring their own.

“We tell people to throw the colors up and let it descend, or apply colors lovingly with strangers’ permission. But in eventuality, someone always gets carried away.”

Contact reporter Nancy Van Valkenburg at 801-625-4275 or nvan@standard.net. Follow her on Twitter at @SE_NancyVanV; on Facebook at facebook.com/SE_NancyVanV.

PREVIEW

• WHAT: Holi Festival of Colors
• WHEN: Noon-4 p.m. May 23
• WHERE: West Stadium Park, 1650 Jefferson Ave., Ogden
• TICKETS: $5, free to 12/younger, festivalofcolorsusa.com or gate