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Communities bring out essence of Holi revelry
For the revellers, the time is ripe for soaking in unbridled joy as the festival of colours that binds families and communities together is fast approaching.
Visakhapatnam: It is that time of the season where people go beyond recognition coating themselves with vibrant hues. The onset of spring is an indication to rich harvest in store. For the revellers, the time is ripe for soaking in unbridled joy as the festival of colours that binds families and communities together is fast approaching.
Ushering in the festive spirit, Marwaris took out 'nishan yatra' as a mark of pre-Holi celebrations on Sunday morning. Smearing 'gulal' on their faces, dancing in tandem all along the way from Dabagardens, several men, women and children took part in the yatra that concluded at Khatushyam temple, One Town Area.
"This is just the beginning of the festivities. From Ekadashi, the celebrations will conclude with 'Holi sneh milan' at Rajasthani Sanskrutik Mandal scheduled on March 24," says Naresh Agarwal, secretary of Visakha Prem Sagar.
While North Indians in the city are gearing up for 'Holika Dahan' scheduled at RK Beach a day ahead of Holi, associations such as Marwari Yuva Manch and Akhil Bharatiya Marwari Mahila Samiti are teaming up to host 'balam pichkari' on March 21 at DSR Gardens, MVP Double Road from 10 am to 3 pm. There will be rain dance wherein DJs will add to the entertainment, doling out peppy tracks.
Bonding over colours
Although Agarwals, Maheswaris, Gujaratis, Jains, Punjabis, Bengalis and Sindhis, among other North Indian communities are preparing themselves to soak in the festive spirit, South Indian families too warm up for the revelry with elan.
"We have been celebrating the festival of colours for the past eight years in the city. Though there is no compulsion as such, Holi is the occasion we get to mingle with other communities and believe in spreading a sense of camaraderie, bonding over colours," says D Muralikrishna, an entrepreneur, who belongs to a Telugu family.
Organic way
With chemical-infused powders leaving an impact on skin, many prefer to go the organic way. "My son developed skin rashes last time when he indulged in hours of colour-splashing ritual with his friends.
However, this year, home-made colours using natural ingredients such as turmeric, beetroot pulp, flower extracts and neem leaves, among other stuff are preferred as they do not harm the skin or hair," says T Sridevi, a mother of 13-year-old boy.
