Holi with 'cowdung-gangajal' for Ardh Kumbh returnee sadhus

Varanasi, Feb 20 (UNI) The Ardh Kumbh returnee 'akharas' will have a memorable Holi here with the fully naked sadhus relishing the festival of colours by spraying 'gangajal' and 'cowdung' on each other.

''We do not play Holi with chemical colours, but believe in relishing festival of colours with cowdung and gangajal, both of which are natural disinfectants,'' said Mahant Hari Giri, general secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) -- the apex body of the 13 'akharas.' ''All of us will get naked, just like a newborn, and then indulge in Holi amid the resonance of 'Har Har Mahadev' at various points on the imposing riverfront, especially the premises of Agni Akhara at Rajghat, one of the 84 ghats dotting the Ganga river here,'' said ABAP office bearer, who hails from the biggest of the 13 akharas -- Sri Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara.

Narrating the significance of the special Holi, the Mahant said ''such a Holi is played by us only after returning from Ardh Kumbh and Maha Kumbh fairs.'' ''Besides cowdung and gangajal, natural colours extracted from flowers will also be used but only after offering it to Lord Shiva.

Besides, bouts of 'bhaang; and ganja will also form an integral part of this famed Holi of the akharas,'' he added.

UNI