Bhopal, Mar 26: Holi is celebrated only once in a year throughout India as well as Madhya Pradesh. But it is celebrated twice in the state capital. Bhopal has the distinction of celebrating Festival of Colours twice in quick succession. First, it is in the form of Holi and second occasion is called Rang Panchami, fifth day after Holi. People celebrate Rang Panchami in the same spirit, fervour and enthusiasm. Rang Panchami was celebrated in the city on Wednesday. Almost all the streets, roads, houses and localities were mired in different colours as people of all age groups drenched their nears and dear ones with colours with love and affection.

It is not known as since when Rang Panchami celebrations started in the city, nevertheless, it has become a boon especially for those who are not able to play Holi fully. This another occasion provides them the golden opportunity to celebrate the Festival of Colours to the hilt on Rang Panchami. On this occasion, Bhopal Today Team had a tete-a-tete with celebrities to know their views.

Celebrated Rang Panchami by applying Gulal

I celebrate Holi and Rang Panchami festivals with fervour and enthusiasm. We had made special preparations for celebrating Rang Panchami. But unlike Holi, I preferred to apply Gulal to visitors instead of drenching them with coloured water. Later, I visited houses of my friends and acquaintances to greet them. Thus the entire day was marked by uninhibited joy and celebratons.

--Raghunandan Sharma, senior leader of BJP

Observed Rang Panchami with core of heart

This occasion gives us the inspiration to call on others and greet them with the core of our hearts apart from giving the message of love, amity and brotherhood. The showers of water, colour and love and affection unites different people of society. This is indeed a great occasion for the city and sets the precedent of mutual love and affection and brotherhood.

Subhash Yadav, former president, MPCC

Took out procession

As the name suggests, Rang Panchami is the festival when people drench each other with coloured water, Abeer and Gulal. That was why I took out a procession to celebrate Rang Panchami so that I can extend greetings to maximum number of people and play colours with them. The procession was attended by almost all the people of the area where I live. The procession culminated at New Market. Later, I went to my department to celebrate Rang Panchami with colleagues.

Shaitan Singh Pal, MP State Animal Husbandry and Poultry Development Department.

Celebrated with near and dear ones

In my opinion, Holi and Rang Panchami are those festivals in which everyone wants to get drenched in coloured water, Abeer and Gulal. I celebrate Rang Panchami with full fervour and enthusiasm. On this occasion, I met my near and dear ones and shared joy and fervour of Rang Panchami with them. I also sought blessings of elders.

Dhruvnarain Singh, Chairman, MP Tourism Development Corporation.

Celebrated in my constituency

I celebrated Rang Panchami with the people of constituency. I took out a procession in my constituency so that no one is left without being greeted. Later, I attended Holi Milan programme where people celebrated the Festival of Colours with elan and enthusiasm. In this way, I played with colours entire day.

Umashankar Gupta, MLA, Bhopal South.

This is cultural frolic

To me, the meaning of Rang Panchami is cultural fun and frolic. On this day colours of life manifest themselves on a large scale. This festival brings people closer to their age-old cultural traditions and rites, giving the message of love, amity and peaceful co-existence.

Govind Goyal, former general secretary, state Congress

Colours bring about bonhomie

I have my own philosophy and opinion about Holi and Rang Panchami celebrations. To me colours bring about amity and bonhomie among people. An entirely new world comes to the fore on these occasions. In fact, we make our life more beautiful and pleasant with the use of colours.

PC Sharma, former MLA, Congress