Holika on theme of ‘Masane ki Holi’ in city

Varanasi: The trend of installing statues of Holika with baby Prahlad in her lap has gained popularity in past years but the organisers in Pandeypur area have taken a step ahead giving the Holika site a look shamshan (cremation ground) on the theme of ‘Masane Ki Holi.'
The structures depicting pyres, wood stalls, effigies showing people lighting pyre, and carrying corpse to cremation ground, and dogs escaping with human remains arranged in front of Holika compelled passers-by to stop at this ‘Holika Dahan' site.
Managed by local traders and natives, the preparations for setting up Holika started as per the tradition on the day of Basant Panchami on Feb 2. As the date of Holika burning approached, the organising committee and Pandeypur Traders' Association president Manish Gupta said that this year it was decided to create the theme of ‘Masane ki Holi', reflecting an unique tradition of the holy city. As Kashi is known as the city of salvation and has great cremation grounds, they decided to design the Holika site to create a look of shamshan, said Gupta. With the finalisation of works at one of the busiest crossings of the city, this unique Holika site started drawing the attention of passers-by. Organisers said that this Holika would be burnt on the eve of Holi on Thursday.
Preparations at other Holika sites has been also intensified with the commencement of the festival of colours marked by the rituals of Rangbhari Ekadashi.
A large number of Holika organisers were seen busy arranging Gohris (burning material made of cow dung) to prepare the base of Holika to place her idol on it.