Security issues prevented the provincial capital from hosting a big event. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/FILE
The Hindus of Peshawar and Nowshera celebrated Holi, the spring festival of colours, on Thursday.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s biggest event in celebration of the religious festival took place at Nowshera’s Combined Military Hospital compound, where Hindus and Muslims gathered to celebrate. Nowshera district nazim Razaullah and naib nazim Zara Alam Khan joined the festivities.
Radhika knows why the festival is attended by people from various faiths. She says, “Holi gives a message of love and peace. Everyone gathers at a place to play Holi, and even enemies become friends.”
Security issues prevented the provincial capital from hosting a big event. Nonetheless Holi was celebrated at various temples, decorated for the festive occasion. Celebrations in the city started early on Thursday when boys broke clay pots full of butter and milk, which were hung up high. To reach the pots, the boys climbed on each other’s shoulder to form a pyramid. The game is believed to have been Lord Krishna’s favourite game.
People also sang folk songs and danced the garba, a traditional form. Then main celebrations began and people started throwing coloured powder and balloons full of coloured water.
Eight-year-old Sunil explained the event enthusiastically, “I and my friend are playing with coloured water and I am throwing balloons on them.” Alka told The Express Tribune, “We enjoyed this day a lot. You can see my clothes, these were white but now they are full of colours.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 25th, 2016.
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