Delhiites today celebrated Holi, the festival of colours, with zest and gaiety as thousands took to the streets with 'gulal' and water sprinklers, splashed colours on each other and exchanged sweets as a mark of bonhomie.
Smell of 'gulal' and joyous spirit pervaded the national capital since morning. Groups of young men and women took to streets to celebrate the spring festival with their neighbours and friends.
People also visited friends and relatives, gifted 'gujia' (a traditional sweet), besides smearing 'gulal' on each other's faces.
Children enjoyed the day most as they sprayed coloured water using water guns and hurled water-filled balloons on people from their rooftops.
Delhi Police made elaborate arrangements to ensure a safe and joyous Holi in the national capital. Police personnel were deployed across the city. Police had issued warning against hooliganism in the guise of revelry.
City hospitals, including AIIMS, made elaborate arrangements to deal with any extra rush of people.
Commuters faced inconveniences in the first half of the day as public transport facilities, including buses and Metro Rail, were shut till late afternoon.
President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have greeted people on the occasion of Holi, saying the festival provided an opportunity to strengthen the bonds of unity and friendship.
The Prime Minister had yesterday celebrated Holi with his staff for the first time during his tenure in UPA-II.
