'Festival of colours': Hindus celebrate Holi in Pakistan 

Hindu community, like elsewhere in the world, is celebrating the Holi in Pakistan on Friday (today).

Holi, the Hindu festival, celebrates the triumph of good over evil, good harvest, and fertility. It usually falls in the later part of February or March according to the Gregorian calendar.

This year, the Hindu community across the globe is celebrating the national holiday on March 18, while Holika Dahan was observed on the evening of 17 March 2022.

It is one of the most anticipated festivals celebrated to usher in the spring season.

Also known as the festival of colours, the religious occasion is split in two events that take place over two days.

The night before is the Holika Dahan [burning of demon holika], in which people wear new clothes, gather around a bonfire and celebrate the victory of good over evil.

The next day is known as Rangwali Holi, in which everyone gathers for the ‘party of colours’.

People celebrate by throwing coloured powder on each other along with music and dance.

The festival of Holi has now become popular amongst non-Hindus as well as in many parts of South Asia and in the West, people enjoy the idea of a colour party and joyfully take part in the celebrations.

Following the occasion, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has congratulated the Hindu community on this occasion saying that the festival promotes brotherhood in the society.

In his message, Buzdar said joint celebrations of different festivals promote love and unity.

He said that people belonging to different faiths are equal citizens and Hindu community has played an important role in national development.

He further added that all the religious minorities have been given complete protection and religious freedom, and they have been included in the national mainstream by providing equal opportunities of progress.

Moreover, the government of Sindh declared 18th and 19th March, 2022 (Friday & Saturday) as holiday for Hindu community only on the occasion of Holi.