Just about a week to go for Holi, people in the city are gearing up for the festival of colours.

On the itinerary is a good dose of revelry with water parks and private organisers getting ready to host parties in the run-up to the festival on March 6.

One of the party spots this year would be the Hungama Water Park in Bihta. Holi Fusion Festival will be under way on March 4 from 11am-5pm. A dance jockey to set the beats, dhol and nagada to pump up the mood and eco-friendly colours would be the highlights at the pre-Holi celebrations.

Sunny Kashyap, the organiser, said: "The entry ticket starts from Rs 400. Since the water park is on the outskirts of Patna, we have arranged for a paid bus service that will help revellers to reach the venue easily."

The bus service can be availed from Gandhi Maidan round the day.

To ensure the residents have a fun-filled day, the organisers have planned a day with dollops of tradition. Kashyap said: "There will be dhols at the venue and traditional Holi songs will play. We will use gulal instead of chemicals to keep the celebration eco-friendly. The water park will be open for the revellers from 11am to 5pm. Water rides would be free. There would be a sumptuous platter of food and beverages at the food counters for which the revellers would have to pay."

If spending a day at a water park isn't someone's cup of tea, s/he can head to the Bharat Scouts and Guide Hall near the Patna Museum on March 1.

Residents can get drenched in colour and dance to peppy numbers at Rang Barse 2015, a rain dance, organised at the venue. From traditional Holi food to the DJ turning out electric music on his console and band performances, residents would be in for a jolly good time.

The organiser, Aman Sharma, said: "We will have traditional Bihari cuisine and other dishes complementary to the festival. There will be dahi-vada, malpua, jalebi, rabri, kachori and pakoda to gorge on and bhang and thandai to wash it down with."

Residents in Patna, especially youths, are already excited about the pre-Holi celebrations. "I plan to make it to both events with my friends. I loved the way Hungama Water Park plans to fuse tradition with modern props, band and DJs," said BD Public School student Mohit Anand.

The girls are looking forward to eat and chill. "I loved the idea of a rain dance with colours and traditional cuisine," said Ishita, a Siwan resident.

Security is a priority for the organisers. "We have asked a security agency to provide us with 20 bouncers. They will be inside the venue," said Kashyap.

Police alert

Patna senior superintendent of police Jitender Rana said on Thursday: "Apart from the normal strength of personnel in different police stations, extra forces will be deputed in several areas, especially those considered as sensitive, during the festival." Sources said plainclothes policemen would also be on duty to look for trouble mongers.