Bhubaneswar: Manisha Jena, a 37-year-old homemaker, has been making herbal colours for the past 15 years as part of a traditional family practice during Holi.

In the last two years, however, with growing awareness about chemical-free, organic colours, she started taking orders from her friends and neighbours to prepare herbal colours during the festival .

"Herbal colours are prepared from roots, leaves, flowers and other herbal parts. Green mehendi powder, yellow turmeric powder, red sandalwood and blue jacaranda flowers are used as to add colour. These are very easy to make at home and are neither pricey nor harmful," she said.

She receives orders from her friends and people from her locality. "These colours are not only safe, but also enhance the appearance of skin apart from having anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties," she added.

Herbal colours have become a rage in the state once again with shopping malls across Cuttack and Bhubaneswar stocking up on supplies. Even traditional artistes are working overtime to prepare the colours that allow everyone to enjoy a healthy Holi.

Social activist and actress Swapnapati will host an event to promote herbal Holi with cultural events for visually-impaired children and band performances.

The initiative aims to spread awareness about the harmful effects of chemical and synthetic colours.

Swapnapati said: "We want to make society aware about the effects of chemicals used in the colours. People should celebrate Holi with chemical-free herbal products that are available in every household. We want to appeal to everyone that they should have a safe Holi by educating them about the negative effects of the chemicals."

Other celebrities will also join various gatherings at schools and cultural organisations to celebrate Holi.

Odia actor Sabyasachi Mishra said: "We ask that people use herbal colours keeping in mind the adverse effects of other colours. The purpose is to enjoy Holi and not harm anyone knowingly or unknowingly."

Sellers are also going for herbal colours.

Ganesh Nayak, a seller at Unit-I market, said: "I got the materials from Calcutta as they are not easily available in Odisha. The local manufactures are mostly fake."

Police have also intensified patrolling to ensure that the festival is observed without any incident. Special squads have been formed to prevent rash and drunk driving as precaution.