The societies have organized rain dances. While many Amdavadis planned Holi parties, others decided to make the most of the long weekend by going on a trip.
AHMEDABAD: Amdavadi is all set to paint on the gloom and doom of the last two covid years with enthusiastic Holi celebrations this year.
The state was affected by the first case of coronavirus just after Holi in 2020. The festival in 2021 was hit by the second and deadliest Covid wave that Gujarat had seen. However, with the number of active cases in the state being less than 420, citizens are in no mood to refuse on Friday.
Last-minute excitement was evident in the city’s major markets for the purchase of pichkaris, water balloons and colours. The societies have organized rain dances. While many Amdavadis planned Holi parties, others decided to make the most of the long weekend by going on a trip.
Organizing Holika Dahan on Thursday evening, citizens lit bonfires to mark the victory of devotee Prahlad’s faith in God and the victory of good over evil. They walked barefoot around the bonfire praying for a good harvest and a good year, offering jowar, batasha and chickpeas to the fire.
On Friday, silver pichkaris will be offered to the deities at the Jagannathji temple as most Swaminarayan temples will celebrate Dhuleti – the second day of the festival – with gulal and water drawn from the flame of kesuda or forest flowers.
The full moon day of Falgun month holds special significance for the devotees of Lord Krishna. Around one million devotees are expected to visit Dakor during the weekend, most of whom are on foot. Temple manager Ravindra Upadhyay said, “We expect huge crowd as devotees were not able to visit last year. Many people visit the temple to fulfill their vows and offer flag in the temple. ,
Health experts have advised caution while enjoying festivals. Doctors say that skin rashes, eye irritation and hair problems increase manifold after the festival. Experts asked citizens to apply oil to the hair and moisturize the skin before playing Holi.
“It is advised to wear sunglasses and avoid spraying colors in the eyes, ears or mouth. Refrain from using chemical-based dyes and stick to gulal or natural pigments. Use cannabis or any other pigment before driving. Do not consume any other substance,” said a doctor.