Mal de gulal mohe, mal de gulal mohe, ke aayi holi aayi re...
This is that time of the year when people don't mind mischief.
So, how does one gear up for the festival?
The basic ingredients include powdered paint or gulal and coloured water filled in pichkaris.
Gulal and abheer (small crystals of mica) in bright colours are thrown or smeared on each other. Pichkaris or water pistols are used to spray water on each other.
The adventurous ones burst balloons filled with coloured water.
These days, however, the gulal is mixed with harmful chemicals, causing harm to people. So, it is wise to stay away from it. In some states, water balloons, too, are banned.
Photograph: Ranjan Basu/ Saab Press(left) and Jewella C Miranda(right)
Also See: Ganesha in various avtaars