E-Paper
Foreigners upbeat about festival of colours
THOUGH the recent serial blasts have cast a shadow on Holi celebrations here, a large number of foreign tourists are celebrating the occasion with spirit. A large number of social, cultural and religious organisations decided to observe the festival on a low key, but it was business as usual for foreign nationals, who joined some locals in playing Holi days before the exact day of the festival.
THOUGH the recent serial blasts have cast a shadow on Holi celebrations here, a large number of foreign tourists are celebrating the occasion with spirit.
A large number of social, cultural and religious organisations decided to observe the festival on a low key, but it was business as usual for foreign nationals, who joined some locals in playing Holi days before the exact day of the festival.
The enthusiasm and excitement among the foreigners, who love to celebrate the festival of colours in the temple township, was evident as they applied colour on each other on the bank of the Ganga, especially at Assi and Dashashwamedh ghats. The reason: foreigners prefer to stay in hotels and guest houses close to the banks of the Ganga as the ghats are the attraction for every body due to their religious significance.
An American tourist Fcopp Hartman was of the view that Holi was a nice festival full of enjoyment for Indians and foreigners alike.“The Holi festival is a unique celebration, that too with colours, which is lovely—an unparalleled example anywhere in the world—so we celebrate it”, he said.
This US national was here to write a book based on a love-story in his personal life. “I am writing a love story based on my personal life but I am enjoying the Holi celebration here too”, he said and added that some kids applied colour on his face few days back and he loved it and reciprocated in the same manner.
A British woman Lorna said that it was her first Holi celebration in Varanasi and she was excited about celebrating this festival here.
“I will be celebrating Holi and watch the traditional way of celebration”, she said and added that along with her friend she also watched the traditional bonfire (Holiday) lit on the occasion of Holy.
At Assai ghat, a large numbers of foreign tourists played Holi on Tuesday.
Another tourist Vladimir said that he had celebrated this festival in Varanasi for several years. “It is not my first celebration of Holi here in Varanasi and I felt that there was much excitement and enthusiasm in celebrating Holi. I will call friends and enjoy Holi celebration by applying colour on each other inside the guest house”, he said.
Similarly, an American national Roy also shared his feelings about Holi celebration in Varanasi.
