By Shruti Sudeshna
Bura na mano Holi hai!!!
Khusiyon ka Tyohaar hai, Rango ka Bahaar hai..
Laal Gulabi Hara Neela..Har Rang ka yahan bharmaar hai.
Hindu-Muslim-Sikh-Isai..sab hai apne bhai-bhai
Aao milke Rang Lagayein.. Yeh apno ka Tyohaar hai..
Bura na Mano Holi hai!!!
Holi, one of the most revered and celebrated festivals is believed to have been originated from the Indian subcontinent predominantly India and Nepal but it transcends every caste; religion; culture and the international boundaries too including Western Continents.
The festival of colors gripped a sense of excitement among the people that unite people to celebrate it. Fancy Face Masks, Pichkaris (Water Gun), Abeer (Color Powder) in the market of Bhubaneswar,Cuttack,Puri and rest part of the state shows the craze for the festival. Thus, it is totally a package of fun excitement and vibrant colors whole day long.
Moreover, the weekend gives a perfect start to spend the quality time with family and dear ones.
OdishaLinks brings you different Holi playing customs from the city and beyond-
Dola Govinda Utsav of Jagannath, Puri is celebrated by placing the idols of Lord Jagannath as Dola Govinda and Goddess Bhudevi in the Palanquins by taking processions around the main streets along with ghantuas; sankirtana mandali, ghoda nacha (horse dance made of wooden blocks) and applying abeer(natural dry colours).
Dola Purnima also called as Dola Melana is a festival of paramount importance of a get together of deities in an open space called ‘Melana Padia’. Harirajpur, claims to be a major venue for Dola Jatra located in the outskirts of Bhubaneswar near Jatani. The rituals mark the idea of syncretism cult of ‘Hari-Hara-Bheta’ (meeting of two religious belief system into a new system.)
In Bhubaneswar, Ollywood Star shines and Political Leaders joined the cultural
programmes hosted by various schools and organizations. Kalinga Institute of
Social Sciences (KISS) celebrated Holi with 27000 tribal children with famous
actors and actress of Odia cine and tele industry.
The true spirit of
Holi is marked by a group of Russian tourists who were determined to travel all
the way to Konark every year to celebrate the Festival of Colors. “We only use
dry organic colors like neem; pudina;chandan; haldi. Holi is the festival of
Radha Krishna and we follow their footsteps and don’t use chemical” – says
Micheal, the organizer of the tour every year. The true colors splashed with
refreshing bhang and Dahi Haandi rituals. The most significant part was the
placards bearing message “Conserve Water, Conserve Life”.
Herbal Holi – With
rising concerns of Pollution and excess chemicals usage, Odia model Swapna Pati
Foundation along with associated partners organized safe and herbal holi for
blind and special children along with eminent personalities. “New Initiatives
has always been a part of Swapna Pati Foundation. This time we decided to
celebrate Holi with Patriotic Colours by giving respect to the martyr’s
families.”-says Swapna Pati.
In the twin cities the
youngsters found to be too excited as they moved in groups and hosted matka fod
(breaking the pot) of butter milk hung high on the streets with loud music and
dance with huge pomp and show.
While Holi celebration
takes place with lots of joy and verve throughout the country, Central Reserve
Police Force (CRPF) did not celebrate Holi, as it falls only a month after
Pulwama attack in which 44 jawans were martyred.
Police Personnel’s
issued advisory to remain vigilant round the clock to avoid mishaps and strict
enforcement of traffic rules. The ODRAF team is also deployed in grey areas
like rivers and water bodies for quick action.
From all of us at
Odishalinks, Happy holi!