Holika Dahan: 250 year old traditions broken as bonfire was organised inside premises with no public participation
The special Sunday of Holika Dahan seemed rather plain and dull even compared to usual Sundays in the city, due to lockdown enforced in the city for controlling covid-19 second wave.
To prepare for burning a small bonfire and celebrate Holika Dahan, people had already bought cow dung cakes on Saturday. Until evening, the city remained quiet.
As the sun went down, a little hustle bustle was seen in various parts of city as people prepared their bonfire for the celebrations.
Some people who could not make arrangements, they went out last minute looking for ‘jugaad’. The police did not show much strictness on those who carry wood for Holi.
After questioning, instructing them not to go out, they asked to go home. After preparing the Holika, people worshiped and prayed for liberation from corona pandemic.
Rajendra Joshi, Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Charity Trust Manager, said, “Holika dahan was done symbolically in the temple courtyard, according to tradition.” He added that the burning of Holika by government has been going on at the main gate of Rajwada for nearly 250 years.
“This time, following the tradition, Holika Dahan was done symbolically in the Malhari Martand Temple Rajwada after worshiping,” Joshi said.
He added that public entry was prohibited in the celebrations. “This is the first time in so many years that the bonfire was organised in the temple courtyard,” Joshi said. Usually, Holika Dahan would be organised at the main gate every year.
To prepare for burning a small bonfire and celebrate Holika Dahan, people had already bought cow dung cakes on Saturday. Until evening, the city remained quiet.
As the sun went down, a little hustle bustle was seen in various parts of city as people prepared their bonfire for the celebrations.
Some people who could not make arrangements, they went out last minute looking for ‘jugaad’. The police did not show much strictness on those who carry wood for Holi.
After questioning, instructing them not to go out, they asked to go home. After preparing the Holika, people worshiped and prayed for liberation from corona pandemic.
Rajendra Joshi, Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Charity Trust Manager, said, “Holika dahan was done symbolically in the temple courtyard, according to tradition.” He added that the burning of Holika by government has been going on at the main gate of Rajwada for nearly 250 years.
“This time, following the tradition, Holika Dahan was done symbolically in the Malhari Martand Temple Rajwada after worshiping,” Joshi said.
He added that public entry was prohibited in the celebrations. “This is the first time in so many years that the bonfire was organised in the temple courtyard,” Joshi said. Usually, Holika Dahan would be organised at the main gate every year.