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Residents in Allahabad celebrate Holi
with milk, butter and curd
by Virendra Pathak

     Allahabad: A tribe of milkmen community celebrated Holi, the festival of colours, with milk, curd and butter during the weekend. They worship Lord Krishna as their family deity and thus celebrate the festival using his favourite items - milk, butter, curd and Chhach (butter milk). "Milk and curd are used to play Holi. we perform prayers for Lord Krishna and then celebrate Holi two days before Holi and two days after," said Uday Bansi, a resident. On Makhaniya Holi that falls on Rangbhari Ekadashi, a few days ahead of the main Holi festival, these milkmen prepare a mixture of rose petals, butter, curd and buttermilk in drums. The first offering is made to Lord Krishna's idol at the village temple and then they make merry - splashing, spraying and throwing it at each other. The celebrations are done amid popular Holi songs. Krishna, also known as 'Makhan-Chor', was a child known for his fondness for milk, butter, curd and buttermilk. Holi will be celebrated on March 11 this ear, marking the onset of spring.
-Mar 9, 2009