Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Live
Celebrating Lucknawi Holi the floral way
With growing awareness about herbal colours, Lucknowites are all set to celebrate a safe, healthy and chemical-free Holi.
“We have always felt wonderful by playing Holi with flowers, especially rose petals. No doubt synthetic colours are harmful for skin. Natural options are always welcome,” says Priya Charan, a resident of Nirala Nagar.
Vivek Srivastava, a scientist of the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), says, “This year we have developed herbal colours made from not only flowers but all the parts of plants. The colours offer good fragrance and are soft to touch. It is good for skin and easily washable. The best part is they are available in all prominent markets of the city.”
No flower sheds its colour except tesu which is commonly used to play Holi. The colour is prepared by soaking flowers in warm water.
Dr Meghna Mittal, a trainee at the King George’s Medical University (KGMU), says she will use tesu colours to play Holi this year. Founding member of Shri Shyam Khatudham Mandir Harshit Sharma said, “Mostly rose petals are used to play floral Holi but this time we will take flowers from old garlands too. This will make a good potpourri and will be helpful in saving fresh flowers as well.”
Flowers are always special for any occasion or festival and vendors wait for this time as their sales go up.
Sumaan Singh, a local florist near Old Hanuman Temple, said: “People have given orders in bulk for rose and chandni flowers. Usually the orders range between 5kg and 10kg. Some people have already purchased flowers.”
If you don’t play Holi at home, then you can enjoy the festival at Shri Shyam Khatudham and Mankameshwar temples. Shri Khatu Shyam temple will hold floral Holi celebrations from 10 am to 12 noon on March 2.
“Flowers are of different shapes and colours. Rose is a symbol of beauty and love, marigold is pious and chandni represents happiness. Floral and herbal colours are not dirty and have no side-effects. There are no issues in removing colours,” says Vinod Charan, a resident of Nirala Nagar.