This is one experience that
nobody apart from people undertaking their treatment in Shafa can experience.
The famous “Gaddhe Wali Holi”. March, as every year brings lots of happiness
and joy and HOLI. This colorful festival becomes even more colorful when Shafa
celebrates it without any kind of intoxication.
Preparations are
started at least one month prior to the festival. A six foot deep trench is dug
and filled with muddy water to play holi. Gujias and fruits are bought. Kilos
of various colors are bought. The house is decorated and cleaned.
On the day of
Holi, the residents wake up early and after a small gathering start the
craziness. They start off with dry colors and move on to the more frenzied “Gaddhe
Wali Holi”. With the music, water and colors it seems the best of the world.
Holi in Kotdwar
is an awesome affair as it ends up in the residents taking an open air shower
and then moving on to spending the day with fun and good food. Holi is one
festival that brings on a true smile to the faces of each and every resident,
be it young or old, Delhi or Kotdwar. It also makes us realize how today we are
better off on festivals without any kind of mood altering substance.
