Four-day Holi folk festival begins in Himachal

Shimla : The four-day Holi folk festival, which traces its origin to the erstwhile Katoch ruler Sansar Chand, began in Sujanpur town amidst fanfare on Tuesday.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur inaugurated the festival at the historic Chaugan. He later paid obeisance at the Murli Manohar temple and led a religious procession taken out in the town in Hamirpur district.

Sujanpur Holi is a festival with a difference. It comprises folk programmes that will end on the day the festival of colours is celebrated across the northern states -- on March 2.

Besides its historic and religious significance, the festival is linked to the well-being and prosperity of the locals. It also promotes tourism and trade.

It is believed that on Holi, the Katoch ruler put aside his royalty and mingled with the masses. A tank in the royal palace was filled with coloured water and Sansar Chand would kick off the celebrations by splashing it on his queens and relatives.

The royal family set out of the palace on elephants and passed through the streets of the town. People standing along the way would throw colours at the members of the family.