Gulaal, rahads, water sprinklers mark Rangpanchami in Nashik

Nashik: Keeping with the tradition of celebrating Rangpanchami, many citizens of Nashik threw dry colours on each other and took a dip in rahads (small ponds, which are filled with coloured water) on Sunday.While in other parts of Maharashtra, Dhuliwandan or the second day of Holi is marked with playing of colours, Nashik residents have been traditionally playing with colours on the fifth day. The attraction of celebrations in Nashik district lies in the traditional festivities.Nashik city has about five rahads — which were formed during the Peshwa reign — where the citizens throw each other during the Rangpanchami day.Sanjay Shah (45), a businessman from Borivali, said, “I have been listening about the celebrations for the past several years. I have always wanted to experience it. This year, I came with my family.”The rahads are filled with mud and remain sealed for the entire year, only to be opened before Rangpanchami.“The preparations were completed in the early morning and after the formal inauguration, the celebrations began at about 2 pm. Citizens eagerly waited to throw themselves in the Rahads,” said Keshav Rahane, one of the organisers.Akanksha Patil and Gauri Rokade, college students, said, “We stay at Rane Nagar. Every year along with our friends, welcome to visit Rahad. The atmosphere is great as people dance to the tune of music.”Various friends’ circles also organised ‘showers’ on the streets with the coloured water being sprayed. Array of showers was constructed temporarily along the lanes, bylanes and in the open in the Old City area, said Rajesh Kulkarni, a resident of Gangapur Road.Similarly, there was a riot of colours in Yeola town about 80 km away from Nashik city.The tradition was that bullock carts would have people in them along with drums filled with coloured water. The set of bullock carts would pass through the main lane of the town and the people on the cart would throw colours at each other and the bystanders. Bullock carts have been replaced with tractor trolleys.“The lanes are filled to the brim with people. Tractor drivers meticulously drive the vehicles making their way through them. People should come to Yeola once to enjoy it,” said Sanjay Lonari, a resident of the town.