Holika Dahan celebrated in run-up to festival of colours

HYDERABAD: The city was ablaze in pockets and roads on Monday as residents burnt effigies on the occasion of ‘Holika Dahan’, which signifies the burning of evil, a day before Holi is celebrated.

Choti Holi, as it is also known, saw the participants of youngsters, who enthusiastically gathered dried branches from trees and broken wooden furniture to burn the effigy.

While some communities celebrate Holika Dahan on the day of Holi as well, most of the city opted for Monday evening.

Amritha Thakur, a resident of Pan Mandi, said, “This whole event, in which all the family members are involved, is a traditional practice. We perform puja and burn the effigy.”

Poonam Goenka, a resident of Domalguda, said, “It’s a victory of good over evil. The family and neighbours gather and after the procession of the effigy of the evil, we set it on fire and then start playing with colours. The festival is meant to cheer everyone up.”