Yogi Adityanath
Holi celebrations in Uttar Pradesh concluded peacefully amid tight security. During this time, diverse cultural expression and communal harmony were seen at all places. Holi and Jumme prayers were on the same day, strict security arrangements were made in the entire state. In view of Holi, the time of prayer was extended in most mosques of the state and both Holi and Namaz were concluded peacefully. During this period, strict monitoring was done on social media for inflammatory material and monitoring drones and CCTV cameras were deployed in major areas.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath celebrated Holi by applying cows and calves in the cowshed of Gorakhnath temple. Wearing a turban and black glasses, the Chief Minister showered flowers and Abir-Gulal on the crowd during the Holi procession. Bollywood actor and MP Ravi Kishan made the festive atmosphere even more pleasant by singing the traditional Fagua songs. Meanwhile, both Deputy Chief Ministers Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya celebrated Holi in Lucknow. The readers rode on a camel and joined the Holi procession. Former Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma also attended the celebration.
Lat Saheb procession in Shahjahanpur
In Muzaffarnagar, UP government minister Kapil Dev Agarwal was seen dancing in excitement during the celebration of Holi. In Lucknow, Holi processions were filled in the Chowk area, locals were seen dancing to the tunes of Holi songs and coloring each other. The procession of ‘Bade Lat Sahab’ in Shahjahanpur concluded amidst tight security. During this time some children threw stones at Lat Saheb, but the police chased them away. In Etawah, a grand Holi ceremony was organized at the Saifai office of Samajwadi Party (SP), continuing the tradition of flowers launched by party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav. Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and other SP leaders attended it. During this time, roses and marigold petals were rained on the attendees.
Devotees gathered in Banke Bihari temple
There was an atmosphere of religious enthusiasm on Holi in Mathura-Vrindavan. Devotees celebrated Holi with bright colors. The day started with Sanju Panda in Falain village in a miraculous manner in Agni. A large number of people gathered in temples like Banke Bihari, devotees played Holi with Abir-Gulal and Tesu Saffron. Deva Sharif’s Dargah in Barabanki was a symbol of inter -religious unity, where Hindu and Muslim communities sang celebrating Holi together. A lively celebration was held at the dargah, echoing with the slogans of “or heir”, in which the message of “Joe Rab Hai Ram” was given. To prevent any kind of collision, Friday prayers took place after two o’clock in the afternoon and the committees of many mosques covered the mosques to protect them from coloring with colors. Officials said that strict monitoring is being done on social media to take action against those making inflammatory posts and inflammatory content. (Input- PTI language)