Sindh govt announces two holidays for Hindu community on Holi
The Hindu community of Sukkur, Khairpur, Ghotki, Jaccababad, Kashmore- Kandhkot, Shikarpur and other districts of northern Sindh celebrated annual religious festival of Holi on Thursday.
Community members sprayed red, yellow and silver powder on each other, as the Holi was regarded as the beginning of spring season. Colorful events were held in different localities of the Sukkur region and temples of the Hindu community, where children and women also participated with warmth and religious devotion in the day- long proceedings.
Special ceremonies were held at Sadhu Bela Temple, situated on the Indus River, Liaquat Chowk Temple, Sukkur and Balmiki Sabha Temple of Saddar Mohallah Shikarpur, Station Road, Khairpur, Pakistan Chowk Kashmore- Kandhkot, Mirpur Mathelo and other areas. Holi festival proceedings in Shikarpur were led by veteran Hindu astrologist Mangay Ram and other local social activists. Holi festival was also celebrated with devotion and colorfully by Bagri community, a scheduled caste of Hindu community, in Kandhkot and Noshehroferoze.
Meanwhile, Jai Ram and Bashir Soomro exchanged Holi greetings with Muslim compatriots in Shikarpur and Kandhkot and prayed for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan.
The government of Sindh on Thursday declared March 18 and 19 (Friday and Saturday) as a public holiday for Hindu Community to mark the occasion of Holi. The Chief Secretary announced the holiday for the community in a notification issued on Thursday. According to a notification issued here, the provincial government has declared both days as public holiday throughout the province of Sindh, on the occasion of Holi for all offices, autonomous, semi-autonomous bodies, corporations and local councils under the administrative control of government of Sindh except those engaged in COVID-19 emergency duties.
According to Hindus, the day of Holi signifies the arrival of spring, the victory of good over evil, end of winter, thanksgiving for a good harvest and it is also a festive day to meet, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and mend broken ties.
Para Medical Association (PMA) Sukkur on Thursday organized Holi-festival at historical Hindu Temple Sadhu Bela where a large number of Hindu community and different minorities celebrated Holi, the festival of colors, with prayers, bhajans (religious songs), dancing and throwing of colourful powder on each other.
Speaking on the occasion, President PMA Sukkur chapter Dr Khushi Muhammad Sohu congratulated the Hindu community for Holi and emphasized on interfaith harmony among all religions and faiths.
Bhajjan, Arti and different dances on Hindu songs were performed by performing arts groups. Holi welcomes the spring season with all its traditions by Hindu community in different parts of the Pakistan including Sindh. The festival brings spring after winter with bright yellow mustard fields, blazing orange colour in the air and other vibrant hues to display the blooming treasures of nature.
