Uttarakhand: The lake city of Nainital was drenched in colours, tourists made the festival special

Holi, the festival of colours, is being celebrated with joy and enthusiasm in the hilly areas of Uttarakhand today. Along with the local people, the tourists who came to visit Nainital were seen painted in the colours of Holi. Local people and tourists danced to folk songs and Holi songs.

Abir-gulal flying since morning

The festival of Holi is being celebrated with great pomp in all the hilly areas of Uttarakhand including the lake city of Nainital. There is a riot of colours on the streets, markets and squares since morning. Local people and tourists are wishing Holi by applying gulal to each other. As soon as morning arrived in Nainital, people here came out on the streets with their friends and family and started applying colours to each other.

Tourists are also enjoying Holi

Tourists and local people are playing Holi with great enthusiasm on the banks of Naini Lake, Mall Road and Thandi Sadak. People are seen dancing to the beats of Dhol-Damau at various places in the city. Along with the traditional Holi songs, Holi revelers are dancing to Hindi Holi songs. Huge crowds are being seen in the markets at the shops selling colours, pichkaris and sweets.

Traditional Holi fervour

Apart from Nainital, special enthusiasm for traditional Holi was also seen in hilly areas like Almora, Ranikhet, Bhimtal and Mukteshwar. In the special “Khari Holi” and “Baithi Holi” of Kumaon region, people danced and sang to the tune of traditional instruments.

Memorable Holi for tourists

A large number of tourists have arrived in Nainital these days, who made the Holi here special. Many foreign tourists were also seen immersing themselves in the festival of colours. Foreign tourists played Holi with the local people and felt the Uttarakhandi culture closely. On the occasion of Holi, the fragrance of Gujiya, Malpua, Dahi Bade and other traditional dishes is spreading in every house. People visited the houses of their relatives and friends and enjoyed sweets and wished each other a Happy Holi.

Strictness of police-administration and security arrangements

The police-administration was fully alert to maintain law and order on the occasion of Holi. Policemen have been deployed at the main squares, Mall Road and tourist places of the city. Strict action was taken against those driving vehicles after drinking alcohol and creating a ruckus. Tourists have also arrived in Nainital and the surrounding hill areas to celebrate Holi.