Delhi drenched in riot of colours on Holi

New Delhi, Mar 15: The festival of colours Holi was celebrated with traditional pomp and gaiety in the national capital today (Mar 15, 2006).

Streets were bathed with colours as groups of people resembling rainbows met friends and relatives, exchanging greetings and sweets, smearing 'gulal' at each other.

Bazaars wore a festive-look with especially put-up stalls selling colours, waterguns and sweets.

While adults preferred natural colours this time, kids went for Chinese made water guns that had flooded the market.

Trees and foliage looks especially bright and colourful with yesterday's rain washing the dirt off. It not only looked but also smelt like it was spring.

The weather too held up nicely with sun shining brightly even though there was still a nip in the air.

Delhi Government and the city police had been appealing the public to play Holi in a dignified and peaceful manner.

Delhi Police has made special security arrangements for the festival and also ensured that there were no law and order problems.

Mobile networks were jammed with people calling up and messaging their near and dear ones.

Yesterday, several areas in the capital saw a huge gathering of people at the bonfires to mark the 'Holika Dahan' that marks the beginning of the two-day festival.

Several bonfires lit between 1830 hrs and 1930 hrs, the time fixed for the 'Holika Dahan' (religious bonfire) this year, with people venturing out, despite the 'chilly weather', to exchange Holi greetings with their friends and neighbours.

UNI