From the archive record
While on one side of Varah Ghat the crowd was going crazy with the merriment in the atmosphere, on the other side, the temple priests were preparing for the Holika Dahan. Post which a pre-Holi puja is conducted for better harvest and tranquillity. Once the puja is over people offer water and flowers to the Holika before setting it on fire. People take the ashes from the bonfire back to their place for positivity and warding off of evil. Women then come down to the chowk to out the fire with holy water. On the eve of Holi, typically at or after sunset, the pyre is lit, signifying Holika Dahan. The ritual symbolises the victory of good over evil. People sing and dance around the fire. The next day people play Holi, the popular festival of colours. After Holika Dahan, the merry-making continu