HT Bureau
DIPHU, March 4: The hills of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong were transformed into a vibrant tapestry of colours on Wednesday as the festival of Holi was celebrated with unprecedented joy and pomp. Known globally as the “Festival of Colours,” the occasion marks more than just a change in weather; it signifies the arrival of spring, the departure of a long winter and the symbolic triumph of good over evil.
In a departure from the usual lunar calendar, the streets remained uncharacteristically quiet on Tuesday due to a Blood Moon lunar eclipse, a celestial event that led many residents to observe a day of spiritual quietude. Following traditional beliefs that suggest avoiding festivities during an eclipse, the community collectively postponed the celebrations.
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However, the wait only served to amplify the energy. By the morning of Wednesday, the silence was replaced by rhythmic music and the cheers of “Holi Hai!” as people of the twin districts emerged from their homes to reclaim the spirit of the season.
The celebration was a blend of ancient reverence and modern exuberance. According to Vedic tradition, the festival honours the divine and eternal love of Lord Krishna and Radha, a theme that resonated through various community gatherings.
In Diphu, Hamren and Dokmoka, revellers were seen with multiple colours of gulal on their faces and bodies. People of all ages drenched one another with water cannons (pichkaris) and buckets of coloured water.
In Diphu, the town’s market road was lined with vendors selling gulal, colours, pichkaris and fancy hats. The modern face of the festival was visible as youths and families took to the streets. Scooters and motorcycles, often carrying three passengers unrecognisable under layers of paint, zipped through the lanes, spreading festive cheer.
As the afternoon faded and the initial frenzy of colours settled, a sense of calm and fulfilment swept across the districts. For the people of Karbi Anglong, the day was not merely an occasion of celebration but a reaffirmation of India’s spiritual identity.
The conclusion of the day’s events brought a collective realisation that Holi is a bridge between the physical and the metaphysical. It is a time for forgiveness, repairing broken relationships and celebrating India’s timeless existence as a cradle of spirituality.
“The colours will eventually wash away,” said a local community leader, “but the sense of brotherhood and the cultural pride we felt today will remain until the next spring blooms.”
With no major incidents reported, the festival of colours concluded on a high note, leaving behind stained streets but refreshed spirits across the hill districts.
