City gears up for Holi

Visakhapatnam: The port city is set to be awash with colours as residents get ready to celebrate Holi on Wednesday. A large number of people thronged various shops in the city to pick up paraphernalia such as pichkaris, gulals and several other products to celebrate the colourful festival in the city. At the same time, various hotels are also organizing holi bashes and rain dances to celebrate the festival of colours.Majority of the people gather on the beach road to celebrate the festival and take dip in the Bay of Bengal.
Meanwhile, large number of people gathered on the beach as part of the 'kamadhahanam' or burning the holika on the eve of the festival.
The police have issued warning to youngsters against harassing people in the name of playing holi. "We will be keeping a strict vigil on the beach road so that no untoward incidents take place," said a cop with the beach patrol unit.
Purchasing colours of various hues at a departmental store in the city, Sowmya Rao said, "All our apartment people are gathering to celebrate the festival. The festival is not only meant for spreading colour, but we have also planned a special lunch as part of the festivities."