Holi

This IAS officer hosted a private Holi party - and billed the state for it

Prabodh Saxena, Himachal Pradesh's top bureaucrat, billed ₹1.22 lakh to the state exchequer for a Holi party attended by officers and families, sparking backlash over misuse of public funds

Texas passes first-ever Holi resolution, 3rd US state to recognise festival

The Texas Senate has passed its first-ever resolution recognising Holi, officially acknowledging the Hindu festival of colours as a significant cultural celebration. With this move, Texas becomes the third US state after Georgia and New York to formally recognise Holi. The resolution was introduced by Senator Sarah Eckhardt and passed just ahead of Holi celebrations on March 14. It highlights Holi's cultural and spiritual significance, celebrating spring, renewal, unity, and the triumph of good over evil. "The origins of this jubilant festival can be traced back many millennia, and the holiday is recognised and celebrated throughout the world by people of all backgrounds who relate to the festival's themes of love, renewal, and progress," the resolution states. The Senate also emphasised Holi's role in strengthening community bonds and enriching Texas's cultural diversity. Consul General of India in Houston, DC Manjunath, told PTI, This is a proud and historic moment for Texas.

Rajasthan cops boycott Holi over promotions, salary discrepancies

Rajasthan Police personnel in several districts of the state distanced themselves from Holi celebrations on Saturday in support of their demands including promotions and removing salary discrepancies. Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot demanded that Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma immediately intervene in the matter and look into the demands of the policemen. Cabinet minister Kirodi Lal Meena also came in support of the demands and said he would raise the issue with the government. Traditionally, policemen celebrate the festival of colour on the day of Dhulandi as they remain engaged in law and order duty on the day of the festival. The next day of the Dhulandi, they gather in police lines to celebrate Holi. As usual, arrangements for Holi celebrations were made by senior officers in police lines across the state. However, police lines in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and other districts remained empty. In Kota, Bharatpur, Pali, Sawai Madhopur and Bhilwara, celebrations continued with

Traffic violations surge over 100% during Holi celebrations this year

Traffic violations surged by more than 100 per cent during Holi celebrations this year, an official said on Saturday. A total of 7,230 challans were issued on Holi this year, marking a sharp increase from 3,589 violations recorded in 2024, he said. According to a police statement, the number of people caught for drunken driving surged to 1,213 in 2025 compared to 824 in 2024. Similarly, helmet-related violations increased by 56 per cent to 2,376 this year from 1,524 challans in 2024. The statement added that other offenses, including triple-riding, tinted glass violations and driving without seat belts also saw an increase. A total of 573 challans were issued for triple-riding and 97 for tinted glass violations this year. According to the statement, about 1,241 violators were booked for other traffic offenses last year on Holi, with it rising by 139 per cent in 2025 with a total of 2,971 violators booked. Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Dinesh Kumar Gupta stated, "Keep

UP revels in Holi festivities; Barabanki dargah becomes symbol of harmony

Holi festivities went off peacefully across Uttar Pradesh with people from different faiths coming together in Barabanki to celebrate the festival of colours. In some areas, the celebrations were held amid tight security due to Holi coinciding with the second Friday prayers of the Islamic holy month of Ramzan. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath celebrated Holi by applying 'gulal' (powder colour) to cows and calves at the Gorakhnath temple cow shelter. Wearing his signature saffron attire, a multicolour turban and black sunglasses, the chief minister also showered flower petals and 'gulal' on the crowd during a Holi procession. Actor and MP Ravi Kishan added to the festive spirit by singing folk songs. Deputy Chief Ministers Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya celebrated Holi in Lucknow. Pathak joined a Holi procession on a camel. Lucknow's Chowk area was packed with revellers, who danced to Bollywood songs and smeared bright colours on each other. Some German tourists also joined

CM Rekha Gupta vows to paint Delhi with colours of happiness, prosperity

Gupta highlighted her vision for the capital, focusing on progress and prosperity, and reaffirmed the importance of her leadership in achieving a brighter future for the people of Delhi

No other religion has such rich tradition of festivals: Adityanath on Holi

No country and religion has such a rich tradition of festivals as Sanatan Dharma, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Friday on the occasion of Holi and asserted that India moves ahead through festivals. Addressing the traditional "Narsingh Shobhayatra' in Gorakhpur, he stressed that Holi gives out the message of an maintaining an "Akhand" (intact) country through unity. "The vision of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat' will be fulfilled," he stressed. "No country in the world, no caste, no religion has such a rich tradition of festivals as Sanatan Dharma. We have faith in Sanatan Dharma and the faith is the soul of festivals. India moves ahead through festivals." Adityanath said. "You have seen that those who oppose Sanatan Dharma have seen the ability ('saamarth') of Sanatan Dharma as well as that of India through the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Over 66 crore devotees came together and got blessings in the mega bathing rituals at Sangam. There was no discrimination based o

Sambhal police conduct flag march, monitor Holi celebrations with drones

Other than police, paramilitary forces also conducted a flag march in Sambhal, whereas the administration is using drones for proper monitoring of the situation in the district

Holi 2025: Banks closed; opt for online and mobile banking to avoid hassle

Essential financial services will be available through online banking, ATMs, and mobile banking apps

PM Modi, President Murmu extend greetings to nation on occasion of Holi

This festival filled with joy and happiness will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone's life and will also deepen the colours of unity among the countrymen, said PM Modi

Holi extended weekend: Flight bookings up 50%, Abu Dhabi, Ayodhya top picks

For international travel, Vietnam, Malaysia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia are seeing the highest growth

Holi processions in Sambhal to end by 2:30 pm for Friday prayers: Official

Earlier on Thursday, Sambhal Circle Officer (CO) Anuj Chaudhary led a flag march with police personnel to ensure law and order

Happy Holi 2025: How to download AI-generated images for Holi celebrations

Happy Holi 2025: Indians are gearing up for Holi 2025 celebrations. Make this festival more creative by sharing AI-generated images with your friends and dear ones

Multiplex chains' box office expectations a mixed bag this Holi weekend

Apart from the Shivam Nair-directed The Diplomat, other movies include major Hollywood re-releases, such as Christopher Nolan's Interstellar

UP CM urges people to celebrate Holi in harmony, avoid forcing colours

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday appealed to people to celebrate Holi in harmony by following the centuries-old traditions of Sanatan Dharma. Speaking at the Bhakt Prahlad Shobha Yatra organised by the Holika Dahan Utsav Samiti here at Pandeyhata, the chief minister also said Holika Dahan should symbolise the burning away of ego and negative tendencies. Aditanath's remarks assume significance in view of the controversies over Holi celebrations and Friday prayers coinciding on Friday. Muslims of Sambhal in UP have decided to hold Jumma namaz (Friday prayers) at 2.30 pm because of Holi. The city has been tense after riots broke out on November 24 last year following a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. Four people were killed and several including police personnel were injured in the clashes. Adityanath emphasised that festivals bring greater joy when celebrated with mutual respect and urged people not to forcibly apply colours on others, especially those who ar

Holi and Ramzan: Mosques in UP, other states adjust jumma prayer timings

Prayer timings adjusted in different states as Holi, jumma coincide. Here are the updated schedules and restrictions in UP, Delhi, and other cities

Salman Khan releases Sikandar's new song 'Bam Bam ,' ahead of Holi

Salman Khan released the song 'Bam Bam Bhole' from BholeSikandar, creating a huge buzz ahead of Holi. The song is composed by Pritam, sung by Shaan, Dev Negi and Antara Mitra, and written by Sameer

Braj Holi 2025: Check complete 40-day 'Rangotsav' festival schedule

During the 40-day Rangotsav, Holi of the Braj includes Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, and Nandgaon, and is one of the most well-known festivals. The celebrations begin on Feb 3, and conclude on March 22

UP CM supports Sambhal CO remark; rejects charge of hiding Kumbh deaths

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday supported the remarks of a Sambhal police officer that while Holi comes once a year, Friday prayers take place every week. Adityanath said the official may have spoken as a "pehelwan", but what the Arjun awardee said was correct. The chief minister, speaking at the India Today Conclave here, thanked religious leaders for deciding to hold Friday namaz after 2 pm. He said namaz could be offered after 2 pm, and people who wish to do so before that can pray at home. Whoever wants to go to a mosque should mind the Holi colours, he said. Holi this year will be celebrated on a Friday. Sambhal Circle Officer Anuj Chaudhury had said that Holi is a festival that comes once a year, whereas Friday prayers take place 52 times in a year. If anyone feels uncomfortable with the colours of Holi, they should stay indoors on that day. Sambhal had witnessed communal violence in November last year. The opposition Samajwadi Party has accused t

UP minister plays down circle officer's remarks on Holi, Jumma namaz

Uttar Pradesh minister Gulab Devi on Saturday played down the remarks of a circle officer that Holi comes only once a year, whereas the Jumma namaz takes place 52 times a year and said in a democracy, everyone is entitled to an opinion. The secondary education minister, who is the MLA from the Chandausi Assembly constituency (reserved for Scheduled Castes) in Sambhal district, also said all communities should celebrate their festivals together and maintain peace and order. Talking to reporters at the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) district office here, Gulab Devi, when asked about the remarks of Sambhal CO Anuj Chaudhary, said, "In a democracy, everyone is entitled to an opinion. I think there is no such thing in it. How many times do we get the opportunity to have Jumma in a year and Holi comes once a year, so both sides should celebrate their festivals together and also maintain peace and order." The minister also said that "Dharam Yogis are sitting in the country and in the state