Delhi soaks in spirit of Holi; Sonia, Rahul, CM Kejriwal greet people

New Delhi, Mar 24: Soaked in festive spirit, people across the national capital celebrated Holi today with splash of colours and savouring of sweets and cutting across religious lines greeted each other to send out a message of peace and harmony.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi celebrated Holi at AICC headquarters and also greeted people on the occasion of the festival of colours.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia too enjoyed the day with colours and festivities as people queued up to greet him on the occasion.

"Played holi wid my family, volunteers, ministers, MLAs, officers, autowallas n my dear junta. Happy Holi," Kejriwal tweeted.

Excited party members and other Delhi residents were seen taking selfies with the chief minister, as he gladly obliged. Youths and children revelled by daubing their friends and family members with colours and enjoyed traditional sweet dishes like 'malpua' and 'dahi bada'.

From posh south Delhi neighbourhoods to semi-urban ares in east and north Delhi, several people came out in the open, from streets and alleys to parks and community centres to celebrate the occasion with enthusiasm.

Lajpat Nagar resident Jahnvi, a class 12 student said, Holi is about celebrating without being judgemental.

"We put colours on strangers today and especially in Delhi throw water balloons on our families and people in the streets. The festival is an invitation for everyone to come together and enjoy the spirit of the day. I played Holi with my two neighbours, even though we haven't interacted before," she said.

Many people also visited temples to seek god's blessings on the day which marks the end of Hindu month 'Phalgun'. But for some people, it was day as usual, as they continued with their daily works.

"My family lives in Rajasthan and I couldn't go home. So my company asked if I wanted to work today. And, I agreed, but, of course, I miss my family," said Sher Mohammed, a driver with a cab service.

Many people also savoured 'thandai', a traditional popular drink on the occasion. City police made all security arrangements to ensure that no untoward incident occurred.

PTI