Holi held in Tarai with fanfare

by Shiva Shankar Mishra,Bara, Mar. 5: Holi, the major cultural festival of the Tarai-Madhes, was celebrated across Bara district in a peaceful, dignified and enthusiastic atmosphere on Wednesday. 

The festival of colours was observed with active participation from youths to senior citizens at various locations throughout the district, spreading messages of mutual goodwill, brotherhood and social unity.

According to Gyanendra Pandy, an astrologer from Kalaiya, Bara, the Hindu community of the Tarai-Madhes region follows the Indian Shri Kashi Vishwanath Panchanga rather than the Nepali calendar. Although Tarai Holi was initially marked for Tuesday, this year’s festival coincided with a lunar eclipse. As a result, Holi in the Tarai was celebrated on Wednesday instead.

In areas including Kalaiya, Jitpur, Simara, Nijgadh, Kolhabi, Simraungadh and Prasauni, local residents dressed in traditional attire were seen exchanging vermilion, extending festive greetings to one another.

In some places, people gathered collectively to organise cultural meet-ups, musical performances and goodwill programmes.

According to the District Police Office, Bara, no significant incidents of unrest, clashes or untoward activities were reported during this year’s Holi. 

The security agencies imposed restrictions on all types of alcoholic beverages as a precautionary measure and increased patrols in villages and neighbourhoods.

Umesh Lal Das, Chairperson of Nagarik Samaj Bara, said that the festival was celebrated peacefully due to enhanced security arrangements and the restraint shown by citizens, particularly in view of the elections.

From the rural areas to the district headquarters, people gathered in various localities to play with colours, distribute coconut, date and groundnuts, exchange visits and forget past grievances, a tradition that continued this year as well. 

Young people added to the festive spirit with music and dance, while elders conveyed messages of social harmony and tolerance.

Local leaders expressed their belief that the festival of colours strengthens mutual trust, love and cooperation within society, and appealed to all to preserve cultural traditions and celebrate festivals in a dignified manner.

Carrying messages of colour, joy and brotherhood, Holi in Bara was once again celebrated in an atmosphere of enthusiasm, civility and peace.

Road accidents were reported minimal during this year’s Holi.

 Gyanendra Bahadur Basnet, Superintendent of Police and Chief of the Highway Safety and Traffic Management Office, Pathlaiya, Bara, informed that incidents were comparatively low.