Prime Minister Narendra Modi has wished the whole nation a happy Holi." Many happy Holi wishes to all my family members of the country. May this traditional festival decorated with colors of affection and harmony bring new energy and new enthusiasm in the lives of all of you," the PM posted on X.
The Delhi Traffic Police has deployed special teams across major road intersections to check drunk driving and red-light jumping on Holi. Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi Traffic) Prashant Gautam said they have made elaborate arrangements so that the festival of colours is celebrated safely and peacefully. "In the New Delhi range, they have deployed around 400 traffic police personnel at 61 traffic points and around 40 joint pickets with local police. Besides regulating the traffic, the focus will be on drunken driving, triple riding, without helmet and without seat belt driving," he said.
(Source: PTI)
A man was injured in Dombivali in Thane district after being assaulted amid Holi celebrations, a police official said on Monday. The incident took place on Sunday night in Cheranagar locality when 20-year-old collegian Vishal Babbu Kanojia was attacked after one person accused him of throwing a stone, the Manpada police station official said.
The ancient city of Varanasi threw itself with full abandon in the Holi celebrations with the revellers dancing to music in streets amid bursts of abir and gulal. In the morning, several youths gathered at the Godaulia intersection of Kashi and danced for hours to music. Foreign tourists joined the locals in the excitement as the ghats of the city teemed with people who indulged in all sorts of festivities.
Mahant Jitendra Mohan Puri of Batuk Bhairav said that Holi in Kashi starts with Ekadashi, which came on March 20 this year.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and Governor S Abdul Nazeer on Monday extended Holi greetings to the people of the state. The CM said the festival of colours is celebrated with joy and a festive spirit throughout the country. "Holi is celebrated with joy and festive spirit throughout the country to welcome the spring season that blooms happiness in our lives," said Reddy in a press release. Similarly, the Governor noted that Holi signifies a colourful and vibrant festival which strengthens the feeling of fraternity and goodwill among people to foster peace and prosperity in the society. "I convey my greetings and good wishes to the people of Andhra Pradesh on the occasion of Holi festival. Holi festival reinforces our trust and confidence in national integration through the joyful celebration of sprinkling of colours," said Nazeer in a Raj Bhavan press release.
"I wish everyone a very happy Holi. We hope that under the leadership of PM Modi, the country progresses and prospers. Today, we are celebrating Holi, but on (June) 4, the country will celebrate Holi once again with the resolve of 'Viksit Bharat'."
Credit: PTI Photo
Credit: PTI Photo
Credit: PTI Photo
Credit: PTI Photo
Credit: PTI Photo
Credit: Reuters Photo
Credit: Reuters Photo
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Monday celebrated Holi with party functionaries here. At the gathering in the BJP's Gandhinagar Lok Sabha office, located in Thaltej area here, Shah and Patel applied colours on party leaders, including Rajya Sabha MP Mayant Nayak, MLA Amit Thakar, Gandhinagar Mayor Hitesh Makwana, Gujarat BJP's general secretary KC Patel and others of the women's wing. Referring to the idol consecration of Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, Shah said Holi this year was special for all "Ram bhakts" because the lord was celebrating the festival of colours after a gap of 500 years.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday celebrated Holi in Thane after paying tribute to his mentor late Anand Dighe at Anand Ashram. He refused to answer questions on seat sharing talks in the ruling alliance for the Lok Sabha polls. "Only Holi today, and no politics. We will enjoy the festival," he told reporters.
The Gautam Buddh Nagar Police order stated, "Namaz, Pooja, or any type of religious processions will be completely prohibited in public places and public routes. In unavoidable circumstances, permission will have to be taken from the Police Commissioner, or the Additional Commissioner of Police or Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone concerned."
It added, "No person will neither (sic) try nor inspire anyone to offer puja, namaz etc at disputed sites where the practice is not prevalent. Apart from this, no person will insult each other's religious scriptures. Will not put any kind of religious flags, banners, posters etc. on religious places, walls etc, nor will he provide assistance to anyone in this work."
The order also directed that no person will let loose animals like pigs, dogs etc to roam in public places, religious places, procession routes or near religious places during religious gatherings, nor will he cooperate with anyone in doing so, which may offend some community's feelings.
Tourists celebrate Holi in Agra in the backdrop of the Taj Mahal
Divya Dutta, Farhan Akhtar-Shibani Akhtar, Anusha Dandekar and others take part in the celebrations at the celeb couple's home.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Gorakshpeethadhishwar Yogi Adityanath on Monday performed Rudrabhishek at Gorakhnath temple and prayed to Lord Shiva for the welfare of the people and the world.
The chief minister has been putting up at Gorakhpur since Sunday to participate in the Holi celebrations.
On Sunday evening, Adityanath participated in the Holika Dahan procession originating from Pandeyhata. He will inaugurate the colourful procession of Lord Narisimha originating from Ghantaghar on Tuesday, an official statement issued here said.
Holi revelry took a tragic turn for a group of four youngsters after they drowned in Wardha river in Kumuram Bheem Asifabad district on Monday, police said. The incident occurred in Thatipalli village when the youth had gone to bathe in the river after celebrating Holi festival.
None of them knew how to swim and drowned one after the other, said Kumuram Bheem Asifabad Superintendent of Police K Suresh Kumar. The deceased were said to be in the age group of 22-25.and were allegedly drunk, police said.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday visited the Barpeta Sattra (Vaishnav) monastery famed for Holi celebrations, called the 'Doul' Utsav locally, and offered prayers for the welfare of the people.
"This is the first time I visited the sattra during the Doul Utsav and I feel blessed", he told reporters after offering prayers. Sarma said that he prayed for the welfare and well-being of the people of the state. "I also extend my greetings and best wishes to the people of Barpeta on the occasion of Doul Utsav," he said.
The chief minister later posted on X, "the Doul Utsav in Barpeta, observed with full traditional fervour, holds special significance in the hearts of every Assamese. Blessed to have been a part of this year's festivities along with a sea of people."