Bhubaneswar: People of Odisha celebrated Holi on 15 March with a festive fervour amid tight security arrangements.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi celebrated the festival with police personnel in the State Capital Bhubaneswar.
DGP YB Khurania was also present in the program, held at the office of the CM’s Grievance Cell in the Unit 5 area of the city.
Amitabh Thakur, Transport Commissioner, S Devdatta Singh City Police Chief, and other Top Cops were seen presenting holi to Chief Minister.
“My warmest greetings to everyone on the occasion of the sacred festival of Holi. May this festival of brotherhood and friendship fill everyone’s lives with happiness, peace and joy. I wish everyone a blessed life from Radha Govinda. #Holi,” Shri Majhi, who also holds the Home portfolio, said in a post on X.
In fact, Odisha celebrates the festival of colours a day after it is celebrated elsewhere.
BJP MP and actress Hema Malini joined the celebrations in the temple town of Puri.
She joined Odissi dancers in a program organised by Puri MP Sambit Patra near the Lions’ Gate of the Shree Jagannath Temple.
A large number of devotees had gathered in the area to enjoy the performance.
“Holi was celebrated in Mathura yesterday. Today, it is celebrated here. I am delighted to have the opportunity to play Holi here in Puri,” she told Media after offering prayers at the temple.
A number of foreign tourists including Japanese tourists also took part in the festivities in the town.
Governor Haribabu Kambhampati urged the people to enjoy the occasion by using natural colours.
Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik said, “Greetings and best wishes on the joyous and joyful festival of Holi. May the mercy of Lord Jagannath be upon every one. #HappyHoli.”
As Shri Patnaik is in New Delhi, there was no Holi celebration at his residence Naveen Niwas.
The festival was celebrated at the offices of different political parties in Bhubaneswar.
Former state Congress president Prasad Harichandan celebrated Holi with the students of Bhima Bhoi School for the Blind in the city.
Students of NIT-Rourkela celebrated the festival with mud, known as ‘Mud Bath Holi’.
Elaborate security arrangements were made across the state to ensure a peaceful Holi, police said.
Twin City Police personnel were deployed at important junctions, keeping a stringent vigil on the celebrations, they said.
To prevent incidents of drowning, people have been urged not to venture into water bodies in inebriated conditions, they added.
In the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, ghats of rivers and other waterbodies are being guarded by the police along with Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and Odisha Fire and Emergency Service personnel.
While 660 police personnel were deployed in Cuttack, 600 were deployed in Bhubaneswar to ensure a safe Holi, DCP Bhubaneswar Jagmohan Meena said.
“Strict action will be taken against individuals found creating disturbances under the influence of alcohol,” said Cuttack DCP Rishikesh Khilari.
Flag marches were conducted in some sensitive areas of the two cities on 14 March.