Celebrating Holi with lots of ‘gujiyas’, ‘thandai’ sans colours

Colours in the air and a festive spirit gripped the holy city ahead of the Holi celebrations. Residents mark the day by indoor house parties while gorging on “gujiyas”. As places of worship remain closed to play Holi due to the lunar eclipse, residents spend most of the day indoors. Trays of “gujiyas”, namkeen, “sherbet” and some home-made “thandai” are the favourite of revellers.

Like every year, traditional Hola Mohalla celebrations at the Golden Temple will be held tomorrow. Devotees will celebrate the festival with flower petals and pay obeisance at the beautifully decorated palanquin, which carries the Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib. The event witnesses presence of devotees who come from far flung places.

For those who love sweets on Holi, the quintessential “gujiyas” and “malpuas” already made their appearance in the city. Almost all sweet shops are selling “gujiyas” and “malpuas”.

Traditional sweets made from flour, sugar or jaggery and fried till the outer layer turns crispy, these make for exclusive Holi delicacies. This time, several flavoured “gujiyas” are available in options that include fruity twists, nuts and some chocolate flavours.

Besides “gujiyas”, other traditional treats like saffron/cardamom-infused pinni, creamy “Phirni” and “Dodha” are also popular. Also in markets, especially inside the walled city, around temple complexes, one can find “thandai”, a milk and dry fruit-based drink, during the Holi festival. Those who don’t enjoy getting smeared with colours or getting hit by water balloons, enjoy gulping down that tall, cold delicious glass of “thandai” and savour hot “gujiyas” during the celebrations.