Holi in Odisha is not only a melange of colours, but also a melting pot of traditions, culture, spirituality and revelry. Both Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, as well as the rest of the state, are all set to flaunt their festive colours on the occasion of Dola Purnima and Holi. Namita Panda of The Telegraph tells you all about the festival and much more.

Dola Melana
Wednesday will see spiritual revelry of Odias, who will play Holi with the divine. To celebrate the occasion of Dola Purnima, idols of Lord Krishna will be carried in processions from nearby temples to local households, where the deities will be treated to sweets, flowers and riot of colours. The next day it will be the turn of devotees to indulge in the revelry of colours. 

Remembering the playful Holi mischief of Lord Krishna and his ‘gopis’, celebrations in the state begin from Phagu Dasami or five days before the festival of colours. The deities are taken in a procession to the houses of devotees and Dola Melana is observed with vibrant music of kirtan mandalis and a splash of abir or gulal. To witness the musical revelry of over a 100 kirtan groups observing Dola Jatra turn up at the Chandni Chowk Melana Ground in Cuttack on Wednesday.

At the Puri Jagannath temple, the chief deity is dressed up in chacheri besa. The ritual of Holika daahan is observed in the temple after which the idols of Dola Gobinda, Bhudevi and Sridevi are taken around the temple and outside in a procession.

Right colours
Play safe with herbal colours this year. Police have warned traders against the sale of chemical colours. Herbal colours are easier to wash off and cause no harm to the skin. Ranjan Nayak, who is doing brisk business, said that people were picking up the brighter hues. However, silver and gold colours are a big hit this year too. 

Gear up
Masks are in huge demand. Masks of Chhota Bheem, Krrish and other cartoon characters are a huge hit and are priced Rs 40 onwards. Wigs also have their own charm and are selling nothing less than Rs 120 a piece. The colourful Malinga wigs are flying off the shelves faster than any other. Caps and funny sunglasses continue to dominate the popularity charts.

Foodie’s choice 
Sweets are offered to the deities during the Dola Melana, but revellers too enjoy their share of gujiyas, kaju barfis, boondi ladoos, kalakand, badam katli, pedas, and other dry or ghee-based delights. The usual ‘pheni’, as well as a number of other sweets such as gaja and peda, are been picked up at confectionaries and sweet shops. For a piece of each sweet, the price ranges from Rs 2 to Rs 10. As far as drink goes, bhaang is the most sought after. Mostly available in Old Town, the traditional herbal drink comes for as less as Rs 5.

Play safe
“Colours pose maximum risk to eyes, skin and hair. Playing with chemical colours results in dermatitis - irritant or allergic, and might aggravate the condition of any person who has sensitive skin, or is prone to eczema or skin diseases. Cover your skin as much as possible with full sleeve clothes and full pants. Smear exposed body parts with petroleum jelly. While washing off the paint, do not use strong alakaline soaps that cause dryness. 

Use a soap with acidic content that suits your skin. Rinse hair with a good conditioner. Toxic colours and tough washing, thereafter, might lead to splitting, breaking and dryness of hair,” says dermatologist M. Srichandan.

Tight security
Five special squads led by zonal assistant commissioner of police have been formed to ensure that no chemical or adulterated colours are sold in the market. More than eight platoons of police forces will be deployed at several places in Bhubaneswar.

In solidarity
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik has said he would not observe Holi this year to show solidarity with the farming community since many farmers had committed suicide this year.

App-solute fun
Want some music and dhamaka to pep up your celebrations? Why wait? Download the Uber Dhol app on your smartphone and place a request. Uber cab services will drive down dhol players at your doorstep. 

If you want to catch on what the celebrities are doing on the occasion, here’s some insider news - actress Swapna Pati is hosting her annual herbal Holi celebration at Hotel Kalinga Ashok. 

Elsewhere, a DJ party, which includes playing with colours and rain dance, has been planned at Shaheed Nagar with a stag entry fee of Rs 150.