As the sun dawned on the eastern horizon of the Odisha skyline on Saturday, people woke up to the festival of colors. After two years of playing a subdued Holi owing to the heavy COVID-19 restrictions, people of Odisha breathed a sigh of relief this time around due to relaxation in restrictions.
It is, however, suspected that though initially it was suspected that around 6 youths were in the group that went to take bath, the discovery of 10 pairs of clothes and an equal number of footwear pairs has led to speculations that there could be more people in the group.
After 2 years, markets in Bhubaneswar witnessed good business during the festival of colours 'Holi'.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and other leaders on Friday extended greetings to people on the auspicious occasion of Holi.
Watch: Holi Celebrated In Different Cities Across India
Holi the 'Festival of Colours', is one of the most celebrated and revered Hindu festivals of India, that symbolises victory of good over evil. The festival is not just limited to colours and feast, it is also about family reunions, get-togethers in the neighbourhood, and celebrations with friends to spread joy.
The raid-cum-awareness drive was conducted by Commissionerate Police and officials of the State Pollution Board in different parts of the city.
A sea of crowd and a canvas of colors marked Holi celebrations in Vrindavan
Celebrations begin in Varanasi, Mathura and other other Indian cities for Holi, the festival of colours. In UP, festivities kicked off on the occasion of Rangbhari Ekadashi and will continue till the actual day of Holi. Enthusiastic devotees took part in the early celebrations as they danced in joy at Banke Bihari Temple and Shree Dwarikadhish Temple in Mathura.