Bhopalites soak in Rangpanchami revelry
| Date :31-Mar-2024 |
Staff Reporter
The City of Lakes plunged into riot of colours and joy as a part of celebrating Rangpanchami on Saturday. Procession were taken out from various places on the occasion and people soaked in colours. Sweets, snacks and delicacies were exchanged among neighbours to mark the festival. There were many Holi Milan programmes organised at all corners. People greeted each other, played with colours, gulal and enjoyed the delicacies with dancing on loud music system at public places. Markets were closed till evening and opened after 7 pm. Police teams were assigned at various points to ensure safety of people in city. Policemen were also conducting checking drive to catch the two wheeler riders without helmet or driving carelessly. In old city, ‘Gair’ procession was taken out from Subhash Chowk, Barkhedi and in new city, procession was taken out from Shahpura, Sant Nagar, BHEL and Kolar. Main event was held at Chowk Bazar where Gair began at 10 am. More than 10,000 people gathered at Chowk Bazar to mark the occasion. This was the 68th celebration of Gair in Bhopal. People dressed like ghost and devil to enjoy the hue of colours. When Gair procession reached in Somwara area, people spread colours with six tankers. Former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh also participated the event.
Devendra Singh, co-ordinator Shree Hindu Utsav Samiti informed that Gair procession was carried out from Loha Bazar, Chota Bhaiyya Corner, Janakpuri, Sindhi Market, Bhawani Chowk, Lakherapura, Pipal Chowk, Chintaman square, Itwara square, Jain Mandir Road, Mangalwara, Ganpati Chowk, Ghod Nakkhas and ended at Hanuman ji ki Madiya. The Gair procession included tableau decorated with Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Radha-Krishna, horses, camel, fogging machine to spread the colours and dancing teams. The unique procession featured water tank equipped with the high-pressure jet, two ceremonial cannons and ca camel circumambulating the town. Every year on Rangpanchami, entire city streets come alive with vibrant colours and people enjoy the day at fullest. The concept of ‘Gair’ procession is taken out from neighbouring city Indore where every citizen get soaked in colours. People gather in lakhs to take part in Gair procession and get drenched by colour canons, revellers sink in the hues of happiness that is intrinsic to history.
The festival of Rangpanchami signifies celebration of love and symbolise the five components that constitute both human body and the cosmos. Rangpanchami holds immense significance for Hindus, symbolising the triumph over Rajas and Tamas, and honouring the ‘Panch Tatva’ or the five elements of the universe (earth, light, water, sky, and wind), which are also believed to constitute the human body. Special rituals are conducted on this day to venerate the incarnated manifestations of various Gods. Devotees believe that performing Puja with devotion on Rangpanchami ensures the blessings of Goddess Durga.
It was dry day in Bhopal: Following the directives of District Collector, all the 87 alcohol shops remained closed on March 30 on account of festival of Rangpanchami. However, only ‘Bhang’ and ‘Bhang Ghota’ shops were allowed to stay open. Concerned over the law and order in city, District Collector Kaushlendra Vikram Singh had already released the order to keep the alcohol shops closed till 5 pm. As per Collector’s order, all liquor shops reopened after 5 pm. Officials said that import, export, transportation, purchasing, sale and distribution of alcoholic products from alcohol shops, restaurant bar, hotel bar, civilian club, Army While sale canteen, canteen, retail outlet sanctioned for wine sale, other license centers, Gincy Square Local Alcohol Storage and Gandhi Nagar Imported alcohol storage was completely ban. The collector warned to take strict action against shop owner if alcohol shop found to be open.