Chronicle Reporter, Bhopal, Faag Utsav was celebrated by the Vallabh Nagar Mahila Mandal, Lalghati on Rang Panchami in the city in which Holi of flowers was played with Radhe Krishna.
City singer Debu Bhai sang Faag songs with his group. Barsana’s lathmar holi was the special attraction among women. Entertaining games were played in which senior women members Mrs. Chouksey and Mrs. Savita Ingle distributed the prizes.
The roles of Radha Krishna was played by Vandana Pandey and Neha Gurjar. The programme concluded amidst, snacks, music, dance, etc. by mandal coordinator Saroj Verma, Mandal President Mala Vijayvargiya and members Neeru Nagar, Seema Sabu, Veena Verma, Amita Gurjar, Anju Sarga, Puja Sabu, Sandhya Agrawal, Nidhi Agrawal.
The women celebtrated a unique Holi which is not celebrated with conventional dry or wet colors, but with flowers, and hence the name Phoolon wali holi (Flowers’ Holi). The event is becoming popular in the city.
However, unlike other Holi festivities this is a short affair of just about 15-20 minutes during which flowers are thrown at the devotees by the temple priests. Some aware citizens in the city did not use harmful colours on Holi and Rang Panchami.
Eco-friendly practices
On the day of the festival, many people gathered in parks or gardens maintained by them to celebrate the festival where rose and marigold petals were waiting to be thrown at each other. Ones who want to celebrate it the traditional way, opt for tilak Holi. “Moving away from throwing colours on each other, we opt for a simple tilak Holi, where we apply tilak on each other,” said Amrita Saxena, a college student who lives in Punjabi Bagh Colony.
She said many people of her area had adopted eco-friendly practices to celebrate the festival and also engage in social and welfare activities. “We feel Holi a festival that removes boundaries and spread happiness. Colours are harsh on human health and the environment as well. Thus, playing it with petals is the best option,” said Ashis Khare, a shopkeeper of the area.