No Holi in a remote village of coastal Orissa

Kendrapada, Mar 21 (UNI) The festival of colours is one of the major festivals of India, but not for the people of a remote village in coastal Orissa.

About 250 families in Badatihada village under Raghunathpur block of Jagatsinghpur district have restricted themselves from playing colours to observe Holi for the past 25 years to maintain peace and harmony in the village.

According to octogenarian Bauribandhu Mishra of the village, 25 years ago, a group clash erupted in the village particularly on this auspicious day.

And since then it was decided unanimously in the village meeting that they will restrict playing colours in the coming years to avoid clash between themselves.

Nobody from the adjoining villages also ever tried to come to the village to play holi with the villagers.

Instead of celebrating holi, the villagers have been organising ''Namayagnya Asthaprahari'' every year on the auspicious day and worship Sri Krishna.

UNI XC-DP SJC KD BD1940