Bhopal, Mar 13: Much importance is attached to festivals in our country and maximum number of festivals are celebrated India including Raksha Bandhan is rainy season, Diwali in autumn and Holi is celebrated in the Spring. Similar festivals are celebrated in most of the places of the country with zeal and as per the traditions and culture of different areas.

Month of Spring is going on and the festival of colours "Holi" would be celebrated on March 22 this year. Children, youngsters, senior citizens, women and people of all categories celebrate Holi with zeal and preparation for the festival is being made in houses. Markets are also agog with various attractive and decorative items, colours, etc in view of the coming festival of colours. Various colourful sprinklers, colours, dry colours (Gulal) are being sold in the markets for the children and people.

Sumit Jain, student of final Year, Department of Civil Engineering (Polytechnic) said that I am preparing to celebrate the festival of colours 'Holi' with great zeal along with my friends. Though every festival has its own importance, but I like Holi most because it provides me an opportunity to enjoy freely with friends.

Brajesh Chaure, student of engineering, second year said that the festival of colours is different from other festivals and all the people celebrate this festival with zeal. Children play with colours with the help of sprinklers and elders apply Rang-Gulal to each other and express and share their happiness. I like to celebrate Holi very much.

Ms Farhad, housewife said that I celebrate all the festivals of the country and celebrate Holi with my Hindu friends. A day before Holi I bring many a sweet from the market so that I can offer refreshment to friend on Holi. People should forget everything on such great occasion. I have already started preparation and planning for Holi, she added.

According to cloth merchant Vikas Jain, he has already started preparations for Holi. All the material for cooking has been purchased from the market and stored in the house. Jain says mostly he plays dry Holi and applies Gulal to whoever visits his house on that day. However, other members of his family like to splash water colours. This process continues till noon after which Holi with dry colours is resumed. I like homemade sweets, particularly those made of Mawa, said Jain.

My paper is after Holi and therefore my first priority is exam and not Holi, says Priyanka Dube. But during the previous years I have been celebrating this festival with full vigour and fervour with my friends. I relish to play Holi with large sprinkler. Those who shun playing Holi are not liked by me, she added.