On Holi, Hyderabad turns city of colours

Hyderabad: The city was awash with vibrant colours on Friday as residents came together to celebrate Holi.The celebrations began the night before with Holika Dahan, symbolising the victory of good over evil. In the morning, flickering bonfires could still be seen on street corners. In many areas, youngsters were out early morning smearing their friends with colours."We usually prepare gujiya, thandai, jalebi and mathri in advance and exchange these sweets with friends and family on Holika Dahan," said Lavanya M, a housewife from Masab Tank. Reflecting on the significance of the tradition, she added: "Burning Holika allows us to leave negativity behind and make a fresh start."As the day progressed, the city came alive with people celebrating in parks, residential areas and even workplaces. Groups danced to popular Tollywood and Bollywood numbers, while children ran around with water balloons and paints. "It felt like the whole city was celebrating together," said Sindhu Vemuganti, a marketing analyst from Malakpet who attended several Holi gatherings. "Strangers became friends within minutes as we threw colours and danced together," she added.For many, Holi was also a time to reconnect with fond memories. "I played Holi with my grandchildren today and it reminded me of my childhood in Lucknow," said Nagender V, a retired banker from Ameerpet.Beyond the celebrations, the festival also highlighted a spirit of unity. "Holi is a time to let go of old grudges and forge new bonds," said Sharon Dasari, a resident of Banjara Hills. "This year, we invited neighbours from different backgrounds to celebrate with us, which made it even more special."