Despite Holi fervour colour sale yet to pick up

AFTER FIVE days of the blasts in Varanasi, enthusiasm for the preparation of Holi, which falls on March 15, is slowly becoming evident in the city. The busiest Dashashwamedh area, where an explosive was found on March 7, is witnessing massive crowds engaged in purchasing new dresses for Holi.

AFTER FIVE days of the blasts in Varanasi, enthusiasm for the preparation of Holi, which falls on March 15, is slowly becoming evident in the city.

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The busiest Dashashwamedh area, where an explosive was found on March 7, is witnessing massive crowds engaged in purchasing new dresses for Holi.

A large number of people participated in the religious procession which was taken out on the occasion of Ranghbhari Ekadashi on Friday evening. Besides, crowds also thronged the Dashashwamedh ghat to watch the famous evening ‘Aarti’ of Ganga on Saturday.

However, the sale of colour is yet to gain momentum. A considerable decline in the sale of colours is evident in the wholesale market of colours after the blasts.

The wholesale traders and retail traders of colours expressed hope that the market would pick up in the next three days.

The two major markets of colour, sprinklers and other items related with Holi celebration in Harhasarai and Deena Golanath have been witnessing a lesser number of customers.

However, the shopkeepers were hopeful that the market might pick up in the next two days. In comparison to previous years, there are fewer makeshift shops for the sale of colour, balloons, Holi caps and pichkaries along the roads in the city.

He said that the colour traders of Gorakhpur, Ballia Chapra, Ghazipur and Siwan districts were avoiding Varanasi due to recent blasts but the market would improve in the next two days.