Jamshedpur soaked in Vridavan spirit as devotees play Holi with flowers

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, March 9: The Marwari community of Jugsalai celebrated the festival of colours, Holi, not with synthetic or herbal Gulal and Abir but created the aura of Vrindavan spirit  as the members played with multi hued flower petals. This preference by the people was due to social organization, ‘Manav Kalyan Seva Samiti’ of Jugsalai with the resolve to protect the environment from the harmful chemical effects of colours and also to conserve water. Men, women and children ushered in additional festive zest with their songs and dances as they played Holi with one another and wished everyone well. It may be mentioned that 500 kilograms of flowers had been brought in from Bengal to play this special Holi on Wednesday, March 8. The Vrindavan tradition of Holi was highlighted by a float comprising a specially decorated chariot carrying the divine pair of Radha-Sri Krishna attired in eye-catching costumes. The procession commenced from the Jugsalai Ramtekri Mandir. To add to the celebratory milieu, a troupe of Chhau dancers from Saraikela headed the procession to raise the quantum of excitement. The procession traversed several routes before concluding at the Marwari Para Old Post Office. The Holi festivities in Jugsalai sent out the message on the spirit of Holi that it was a festival to celebrate oneness, peace and brotherhood. Men and women danced and sang, wearing identical, traditional costumes of Rajasthan. Another traditional item, ‘Matka Phor,’ (a clay pitcher hung at a height and containing butter, money and gifts – signifies Baby Sri Krishna’s stealing butter from a clay pot kept at a height by Mother Yashoda to prevent the mischievous Gopal from stealing the stored butter) was organized in which several teams participated to bring down the Matka. Ayush Saraiwala and his team emerged victorious in the event that was organized on Jugsalai Main Road. The Jugsalai Holi festivities saw people from other localities too joining in the celebration of Holi with flower petals.