Varanasi Drenched in Colors on Holi, First Gulal Offered to Shri Kashi Vishwanath

Varanasi: The city of Baba Vishwanath was immersed in the vibrant hues of Holi on Friday. From villages and city streets to the banks of the Ganges, people celebrated the festival by drenching each other in colors and gulal. The spirit of the festival was evident everywhere, with extensive security arrangements in place across the city. Special vigilance was maintained in sensitive areas.

Devotees Played Holi with Shri Kashi Vishwanath
In the morning, devotees at the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple played Holi with Baba Vishwanath. The celebrations extended to other temples in the city, where devotees played Holi with deities. The first gulal of the festival was offered at temples including Kashi Vishwanath, Kal Bhairav, Sankat Mochan, Maa Annapurna, and Durga Mandir. As per Kashi’s tradition, a long queue of devotees gathered at the Chausath Yogini Temple at Chausathi Ghat, offering gulal before celebrating Holi.

Since morning, groups of children and young people were seen enjoying the festival. As the day progressed, youngsters armed with water guns drenched each other in colors and exchanged festive greetings. Many were seen in torn and colorful outfits, embracing each other on the streets in celebration. Key locations such as Godowlia, Lahurabir, Sonarpura, Lanka, Sigra, and Rath Yatra Square witnessed grand Holi festivities. At various spots, groups of young people danced to Holi songs played on DJs. Even foreign visitors at the ghats of the Ganges joined in, dancing to the beats of drums and dhols with local revelers.

Festivities Across Colonies and Societies
In several residential colonies and societies, fun-filled activities were organized during the festival. Some areas hosted poetry sessions, accompanied by rounds of thandai and bhang. The city’s traditional Holi processions were also carried out in many places.

Police Ensured Safety Amidst Celebrations
Amidst the Holi festivities and revelry, police officers were actively patrolling the streets with their forces. Given that Holi coincided with Jumu’ah during the holy month of Ramadan, security was particularly tightened at key intersections and mixed-population areas. In a light-hearted moment, some people playfully smeared gulal on the police personnel as well.