Holi revelry across Punjab, Haryana

Youngsters on two-wheelers, cars and even tractors were seen enjoying the festive spirit of Holi across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on Thursday.

Thousands of people gathered at Sikh holy town of Anandpur Sahib, 85 km from here, for the final day of the 'Hola Mohalla' festival.

Nihang sect members turned out in their traditional attire with some of them wearing huge and heavy cloth turbans with a lot of accessories.

The 'Mohalla' procession, which is the most important part of the Hola Mohalla celebrations, was also held. Traditional weapons and the 'gatka' martial art display were the highlights of the occasion.

Holi celebrations took place in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala and other places also.

In Haryana, people offered prayers and later played with colours at various places.

At some places in the state, especially in rural areas, women could be seen playing the 'lathmaar' Holi with sticks and wet ropes in which they hit men with them.

Reports of Holi celebrations came from Bhiwani, Rohtak, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Karnal, Hisar and other places.

In Chandigarh, hundreds of youth were seen roaming around on two-wheelers, cars and other modes of transport to celebrate Holi.

Tight security arrangements were in place across Chandigarh with nearly 1,000 police personnel on duty.

The city's 'Geri Route' in Sector 8, 9, 10 and 11, the Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden and other places saw rush of people to mark the festival of colours.