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Thousands witness ‘Vasant Purnima’ festival

Photo: Ashoke Chakrabarty

Rang barse: Students of KIIT tribal school celebrating Holi in Bhubaneswar on Friday. —

BERHAMPUR: The NH 5 remained closed for vehicular traffic at Ganjam town for 24 hours from Thursday for the traditional ‘Vasant Purnima’ or Holi celebrations. The highway was transformed into a large stage for folk dances during the period.

The decorated ‘Vimana’ of deities rolled on the stretch passing through Ganjam town. Vehicles were diverted via a road by the side of Jayashree Chemicals. Over two platoons of police force had to be deployed at the spot for maintenance of law and order and diversion of traffic. The stretch of the national highway turns into a large stage for folk dance forms during this festival time. The festivities start a day ahead of Vasant Purnima. The idols of different temples of the area and adjoining villages are carried on decorated palanquins. The deities remain at the spot for 24 hours. This year, 16 deities reached the spot of festivities. Since Thursday afternoon, folk dance artists continued to perform in front of these deities non-stop. Thousands gathered to witness the unique celebration. “It is a 450-year tradition as Ganjam town has the oldest Vishnu temple in the district,” said Ramchandra Panda, former Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, who was also present during the celebrations. Union Minister Chandrasekhar Sahu also visited.

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