The sand along the coast displays strains of Holi, in spilled powdered colours of purple, red, green. Tourists roaming around are imprinted with the colours of the festival. It’s a celebration of colours, as Holi kicks in.
“We got up this morning to the sound of drum beats that actually got us into a nice morning rhythm. After breakfast, we came to the market and that’s where the revelry began,” said Austin, as he and his friends observed domestic tourists smear each other with colours.
“Colours reflect happy and sad emotions. The brighter, the happier and better the state of mind,” reasons Austin, one of the many tourists on the beaches of Goa, playing Holi today.
Rebecca, in her 60s, walks cautiously around the city hoping she will not be smeared with colour again. “I had a few boys come over and paste colour on my face. They were courteous,” she says, as she inquires whether there are organic colours for sale.
“A group of us have decided to meet for lunch, and I have been entrusted to bring some colours. It can be seen being sold everywhere, but we prefer the organic type,” she discloses.
Elsewhere in the city, next to a temple where devotees are in prayer, is a group of foreigners smeared in colour, and all clicking selfies.
“It is so wonderful to celebrate one’s festival with colours, and so much of joie de vivre. I suppose this happens only in this country. I have been told that men and women participate in a procession later during the day,” said Ray, enthralled at what he was seeing.
Foreigners in Goa are happy that they are allowed to participate. “It is nice to see families spraying colour and water on each other and dancing to Bollywood music. I am wondering for how long the colour will remain,” says Ray who is coloured in a mix of blue, red, pink, yellow and green.
As noon set in, village tintos were a sea of colour with men dancing to the beats of music as drinks flowed freely.
“We came to watch the fun outside. It is nice to watch how they have allowed themselves to be coloured and the euphoria that they let themselves seep into. We do get into such a frenzy in our State, too,” admits Renuka, as she watches her male friend join the fun.
“We are having a party in the hotel where we will stay later in the day. I am sure it’s going to be fun. Holi festivity was part of our holiday package,” she admits.
Tourism stakeholders are cautious. “Occupancy is not that high because most guests prefer to celebrate at their own places. This festival has its own vibe and it is best felt amongst friends and that explains why many prefer to stay back in their home States,” explains the manager of a hotel in North Goa.
“The Russians are planning a big Holi party in North Goa. People wait for any opportunity to celebrate and it is nice that many of them are assimilating our cultural vibes,” feels the manager.
The heat, however, could play spoilsport. “It has been a good start, but we expect it to pick up after sunset as it is too hot during the day. Foreigners have already begun to feel the heat, and so, one can imagine the state of our local tourists,” says Placid, whose shack has five tables occupied by guests.
“I had a couple last night who was thinking of leaving early as they are finding it too hot. People normally tend to leave in April, but this sudden rise in temperature is making many have second thoughts,” observed Placid.