Festival of colour, Holi was celebrated with much fanfare at Dashapet and other layouts in Shidlaghatta on Friday.

Residents of Dashapet, including elders and children were smearing colours on each other. Even the passers-by were not spared. But everyone seemed like they were enjoying it.

On Thursday night statues of Rathi and Manmatha also known as Kamadeva (Gods of love) are decorated. These statues are then burnt with old materials like wood and cow dung cake.

Meanwhile, folk songs, centred on taking the children to task, entertain the people.

Background

“Burning the statue of ‘Kama’ signifies controlling of desires. According to a story from the epics, Shiva had to beget a child to kill Tarakasura, who was creating ruckus on earth. But Shiva was deep in meditation. 

When there was no sign of Shiva coming out of meditation, Kamadeva tried to attract Shiva’s attention to Parvathi. But instead, Shiva got angry with Kamadeva for disturbing his meditation and burnt him through his third eye.  ‘Kamana Hunnime’, which is in remembrance of Shiva burning the Kama or lust, is also celebrated around the same time as of Holi. Whereas Holi is a festival of welcoming summer. So, rituals of both festivals have been put together and people enjoy celebrating both festivals,” says Nagabhushan, a lecturer.

Caution

Though Holi celebration is special, there is also danger of getting allergies due to artificial colours. 

Lead oxide is mixed in the black colour, Copper Sulphate in green, cilica in pink, mercury sulphate in red and elements leading to cancer in white colour. So, artificial colours should be avoided, added the lecturer.

“Earlier in the villages, palash flowers were soaked in water. After sometimes the water would have turned red in colour and people used this water to play holi,” he said.