Holi festivities, the royal style

The royal families in Udaipur and Jaipur celebrated Holika Dahan and the festival of colours with all the traditions and opulence of the desert state.

Gauravi Kumari, Padmini devi, Padmanabh Singh, Lakshayraj Singh and Diya Kumari

erstwhile Jaipur royal Padmanabh Singh lights the pyre during Holika dahan at Jaipur City Palace

The two-day festival began on Tuesday evening with the Holika Dahan at the royal residences. Udaipur royal Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar lit the Holika pyre, while in Jaipur, Padmanabh Singh lit the pyre as priests chanted hymns. Next day, both the royal families celebrated the festival of colours.

Arvind Singh Mewar taking the guard of honour

Holika Dahan in Udaipur City Palace

With water balloons, gulaal and pichkaris, the Holi bash turned out to be quite a celebration with members of the royal family enthusiastically participating in the festivities. Diya Kumari, celebrated with guests at the City Palace, Jaipur.

Tourists enjoyed playing Holi at an event organised by the Tourism Department

A colourful selfie

The Rajasthan Tourism Department too hosted a Holi bash at a hotel for tourists, in order to introduce foreigners to the festivities of India. Special arrangements were made to serve the traditional gujiya with thandai, a specialty of Holi. Drenched in colours and water, people enjoyed the delicacies while clicking selfies and dancing to the dhol beats.