Holi: a fusion of Dussehra, Diwali in Uttar Pradesh town

BAREILLY - A Ramlila ending with the effigy of demon king Ravana going up in flames and a brilliant display of fireworks — that’s Holi for you in Bamanpuri town of this district.

This unique way of celebrating Holi is a 60-year-old tradition started by the locals in the town, some 250-km from Lucknow, to avoid hooliganism on the day by adding a spiritual touch to the celebrations.

“Though we also use abir, gulal and other colours to play Holi, the main attractions of our celebrations remain fireworks, burning of effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakaran and his son Meghnad,” Nain Singh Sagar, 45, a government school teacher, told IANS.

The 18-day Ramlila — a mythological play based on the epic Ramayana — concludes on the eve of Holi followed by fireworks and burning of effigies.

On Holi, a baraat (marriage procession) of Lord Rama is taken out in the town.

Massive idols of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and other deities are placed on hand-pulled, decorated chariots. The ‘baraat’, which is attended by hundreds of devotees, also has in attendance several music bands that belt out popular melodies.

“People, not only from Bamanpuri, but also from Bareilly and adjoining districts, come to witness our unusual Holi celebrations. Wild cheers and applause rent the air as effigies of demon king Ravana and others go up in flames,” said Vinaymani Tiwari, 50, who runs a dairy in the town.

“I came to Bamanpuri around 35 years ago. The day I witnessed the unusual tradition, for a while I just forgot it was Holi as the ambience made me feel I was participating in Dussehra celebrations,” he added.

Another Bamanpuri resident Padam Chandra, who has been participating in the Ramlila for the last 25 years, said: “There’s a belief that the tradition was started over 60 years ago to keep hooliganism away. Initially, it all started by organising Ramlila, which was aimed to attract more and more people so that Holi celebrations pass off peacefully.”