Colourful frenzy marks Holi in India
Mar 4, 2007 - 2:32:16 PM
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Kashmir celebrated Holi on Saturday but the revelry also spilled over into the early part of Sunday.
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By IANS,
[RxPG] New Delhi, March 4 - Armed with water guns and with myriad hues of reds, pinks and blues smeared on their faces, their clothes in the manner of rainbows, millions of Indians Sunday celebrated Holi, even as the mood seemed subdued in parts of the capital.
In New Delhi, the celebrations began early with squeals of laughter resounding from various households as the 'colourful attacks' started with dry colours. But soon buckets full of coloured water and 'pichkaris' came out for the wet spell, spraying everyone in sight.
In the university's north campus, young boys thronged the terraces of their houses and aimed balloons filled with water at passers by, especially at girls. Not to be left behind, the girls retaliated in an equally colourful manner.
'I was not very keen on playing Holi this time but my friends simply refused to take no for an answer. They dragged me out of my room and poured two buckets of coloured water on me!' said a drenched Sujata, who then decided to join in the fun.
'My wife and I look forward to Holi every year. And like every time this time too we invited our close friends for a terrace Holi party at our place. Biryani, sweets, colours and of course the ritual Bhang is on the house!' said Prakash Jha, an engineer living in south Delhi's Vasant Kunj area.
Narayani Basu, however, preferred celebrating the festival with her family members.
'My husband and I celebrate Holi every year with my parents and younger brother. But among all of us, my father is the most enthusiastic player. He can outdo all the rest of us put together.
'After we are finally done with the playing and we have had a good wash, we sit and have a lavish lunch prepared by my mother. She makes excellent mutton curry and gujjias,' she said.
There was the 'public' element of the celebrations, with President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam accepting the greetings of the public at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and a host of ministers doing so at their sprawling residences in the heart of the capital.
Revellers joined the fun at the offices of political parties here.
However the mood seemed subdued in many parts of the capital - perhaps because of the stiff breeze that blew through the morning or because of the increasing burden of rising prices that almost everyone has to contend with.
Then, there was the shadow of the lunar eclipse Sunday that made many believe it would be 'inauspicious' to celebrate on such a day.
The large police presence on the streets ensured that these were by and large free on the lumpen elements who tend to race around on two-wheelers.
For the non-revellers, this meant a dream drive on the broad roads of the city, while those who had to travel to work or on other errands had a comparatively easy time.
While the ubiquitous auto rickshaws were out in fair numbers, commuter buses were out from around noon -- a departure from the past when they used to start plying only around 2 p.m.
Reports from across the country spoke of Holi being celebrated peacefully from Jammu and Kashmir to Andhra Pradesh and from Gujarat to the northeast.
Kashmir celebrated Holi on Saturday but the revelry also spilled over into the early part of Sunday.
The legend of King Hiranyakashipu is associated with the festival of Holi, signifying the victory of good over evil.
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