Fun and gaiety marks Holi celebrations

Bhubaneswar: Millions of Holi revellers across Odisha today celebrated the festival of colors with much fanfare by smearing gulal (colour powder) and water colour on each other.

Almost all streets in the city looked colorful as people of all ages were seen having a blast while celebrating Holi and wishing each other.

Not only in cities, villages in and around the state erupted in joy while celebrating Holi with religious fervor and distributing sweets.

To make the occasion more enjoyable and memorable, a special type of Holi was organized at Janta Maidan in heart of city, where youths were seen having a gala time.

During Holi, people in Odisha forget their caste, colour and religion as all turned up with good spirits to enjoy the festival to the fullest, a Holi reveller said.

Meanwhile, political leaders from different parties were seen celebrating the festival of colours with distributing sweets and visiting temples.

It is a festival of colours, happiness and get-together, said PCC president Prasad Harichandan, who was seen celebrating holi with students from Bhima Bhio Blind school.

Similarly, BJP party workers were celebrating holi at their party office here along with Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who said it is a time to spread brotherhood among all.

Political figures from ruling BJD too joined the celebrations and observed Holi with party workers.

Holi brings peace and i choose to celebrate it with my family members, relatives and well wishers, Damodar Rout, senior BJD leader, said.