With the advent of spring, the city is all set to drench in the spirit of the festival of colours. While the college goers in the city celebrated it last Saturday and some prefer to celebrate it in the coming weekend, the traditional ones said they would only play on the festival day which is on March 23 and 24.
"On March 23, we burn the holika which represents the triumph of good over evil. And on March 24, we play holi with colours. We prefer to celebrate holi in a traditional manner with sat sang where holi songs are sung, poojas are performed and cultural programmes are organized. Holi is usually celebrated in the traditional way with the entire family," said Monika Lunia. They held a fancy dress programme at Terapanthi Bhavan in the city on Monday. "We celebrate it as holi week and hold programmes every day," she added. Similarly, Rajasthani Sangh organizes the holika programme at Shri Nehru Vidyalaya every year in the city where people from all communities gather and celebrate holi. "We are bringing a troupe from Jodhpur and food will be organised for the people," said Madhu Bathia of Rajasthani Sangh.
But with the elections round the corner, and the board exams going on, many families have decided to celebrate the festival on the weekends instead of the festival day. Jennys' Club hosted a big party with DJ and colours on March 19 for the college students. Chantel Vincent, event manager of the event said youngsters who wouldn't get leave for the festival, especially the ones from other cities, prefer such parties. "There was music, food and celebration with colours," she said.
"Our business has become dull due to the elections. We cannot afford to close our shops on Wednesday or Thursday. Also, the professionals do not get a day off since it is a week day. Hence we all came to a consensus and decided to celebrate it on March 27 and have a huge party at the Punjabi Association ground," said Anuraag Maheshwary, a business man. The Punjabi Association will also have a holi party for their community on the same day during the morning in which over 200 people will take part. Amit Mathur, vice-president of Punjabi Association said they always preferred celebrating it on a Sunday as everyone is relaxed and enjoys the entire day without any tension.
"Anyway in the north, the entire week is a holiday and people celebrate holi for the whole week. So celebrating it a few days later will not make a big difference," said Amit Mathur. The CBSE school students are relieved as their exams end on March 24 which is the holi day. "We will celebrate immediately after our exams get over," said a student.
"On March 23, we burn the holika which represents the triumph of good over evil. And on March 24, we play holi with colours. We prefer to celebrate holi in a traditional manner with sat sang where holi songs are sung, poojas are performed and cultural programmes are organized. Holi is usually celebrated in the traditional way with the entire family," said Monika Lunia. They held a fancy dress programme at Terapanthi Bhavan in the city on Monday. "We celebrate it as holi week and hold programmes every day," she added. Similarly, Rajasthani Sangh organizes the holika programme at Shri Nehru Vidyalaya every year in the city where people from all communities gather and celebrate holi. "We are bringing a troupe from Jodhpur and food will be organised for the people," said Madhu Bathia of Rajasthani Sangh.
But with the elections round the corner, and the board exams going on, many families have decided to celebrate the festival on the weekends instead of the festival day. Jennys' Club hosted a big party with DJ and colours on March 19 for the college students. Chantel Vincent, event manager of the event said youngsters who wouldn't get leave for the festival, especially the ones from other cities, prefer such parties. "There was music, food and celebration with colours," she said.
"Our business has become dull due to the elections. We cannot afford to close our shops on Wednesday or Thursday. Also, the professionals do not get a day off since it is a week day. Hence we all came to a consensus and decided to celebrate it on March 27 and have a huge party at the Punjabi Association ground," said Anuraag Maheshwary, a business man. The Punjabi Association will also have a holi party for their community on the same day during the morning in which over 200 people will take part. Amit Mathur, vice-president of Punjabi Association said they always preferred celebrating it on a Sunday as everyone is relaxed and enjoys the entire day without any tension.
"Anyway in the north, the entire week is a holiday and people celebrate holi for the whole week. So celebrating it a few days later will not make a big difference," said Amit Mathur. The CBSE school students are relieved as their exams end on March 24 which is the holi day. "We will celebrate immediately after our exams get over," said a student.