Indian towns soaked in colours as Holi passes off peacefully

New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) Commoners and politicians mingled
with each other and revellers, dyed in hues of many colours,
thronged thoroughfares dancing to the accompaniment of drums
as gusto and bonhomie marked the Holi festival which passed
off peacefully across India on Monday.

Forgetting all rancour and old grievances, friends and
foes exchanged embraces in lanes and alleyways wishing "Happy
Holi" as unseen hands squirted them with a well-timed coloured
water spray.
Water-filled balloons were hurtled down from rooftops
and balconies as cries of "Holi hai" reverberated the streets
which presented a riot of colours.
Musical soirees were held at many places to mark the
festival which bids adieu to winter and heralds the spring
season.
Colourful Rangoli patterns were drawn at the entrance of
houses as the scent of sweet delicacies, cooked up on the
occasion, wafted through the air.
With police keeping a watchful eye, the festival of fun
and frolic passed off peacefully with no reports of any law
and order problem from across the country.
The spirit of jollity reigned supreme as politicians
and commoners mingled with each other on the occasion.
In the national capital, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi
joined a group of school children to celebrate the festival,
applying colours on their foreheads and distributing sweets to
them.
In Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister K Rosaiah's residence
wore a festive look as he played Holi with tribals.

Holy city Mathura was soaked in colours as tens of
thousands of pilgrims descended on the land of Lord Krishna
to celebrate Holi.
Children and the young and the old alike splashed
colours on each other with religious songs in the background
adding to the perfect ambience at many places.
In some towns, foreigners enthusiastically participated
in the festivities which began last evening with lighting up
of the bonfire known as "Holika Dahan".
Effigies of Holika, the sister of Hiranyakashyap, the
demon king, were set ablaze at several places symbolising the
destruction of evil.
Tragedy befell on Virar area in Maharasthra's Thane
district when three persons, enjoying the bonfire, were
electrocuted.
The three died when they came in contact with a live
wire dangling from an electric pole, police said.
President Pratibha Patil, Vice President M Hamid Ansari
and a host of political leaders greeted the people on the
occasion saying the festival aimed at strengthening the social
fabric of the country. PTI TEAM