Bhubaneswar: The city will throw open its doors to some grand Holi bash on Friday.

Students of Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences will celebrate Holi with Odia film actors, directors, singers and writers. The celebrities will also take part in gatherings at various schools and cultural organisations. However, the revelry will be limited to the students because of ongoing board and upcoming Plus Two examinations.

Most hotels here have decided to crank up the fun by adding music, dance and good food to their Holi platter. But those who want to join the fun should come with only organic colours (gulaal).

As no festival is ever complete without food, delicious preparations, especially chic-ken and pitha, have been the tradition in most households .

The festival

Dol Jatra coincides with Holi that takes place on Falguna Dashami before full moon day. During the six-day festival, the idols of village deities, especially Lord Krishna, are carried on a small but decorated wooden temple called Bimana in a procession to all houses in the village.

The procession of people, smeared with abira, moves from one house to another while rejoicing and dancing to the tune of traditional music and songs. On the last day, which is a full moon day, a huge gathering takes place and Holi is celebrated.

Ready for action

Police have made elaborate arrangements in Bhuban-eswar for Holi. While 10 platoons of police personnel will be kept ready to attend to any mishap during the festival, cops are carrying out crackdown on shops selling harmful colours.

Police commissioner Y.B. Khurania has issued instructions to police officials and has also appealed to the residents to observe an "eco-friendly" Holi.

"Two special teams have been asked to raids shops, kiosks and wholesale markets where chemical colours are being sold. Stringent action will be taken against persons caught indulging in this illicit trade," said Khurania.

The police said liquor shops will remain closed on Friday, but raids would be conducted on those selling liquors. Malls will also remain closed till evening.

"We urge the citizens not to risk their lives by taking bath in rivers and other water bodies in the city," said deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi.

He said cops have been told to take strict action against drink driving. He said those who require police help could dial 100.

The Odisha Fire Service and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force have asked to stay on alert to attend to accidents such as drowning, fire and other situations on Friday.