Green Holika Dahan 

Samar Vihar locality

Today was the eve of Dhulandi and Holika Dahan was celebrated all over the nation. But the celebration at Samar Vihar locality was somewhat special.

Here's the report:-

""The Samar Vihar locality here is in limelight these days as several people are thronging a small park where residents have come up with a perfect example of synchronizing tradition with the needs of a modern society.

"Instead of burning precious wood, we have set-up a 10-foot Plaster of Paris statue of Holika with Prahalad in her arms. We will not set it afire using wood, but make use of a lighting arrangement to depict the burning scene," said Manmohan Sharma, the brain behind the event.

Focussing a variety of lights placed at different angles, Sharma and his neighbours have created a visual effect which looks like an actual fire. Flames could be seen lapping up Holika and Prahlad.

Interestingly, children quipped they could understand the legend much better this way, although the still smaller lot were a little scared. 

"We use electricity, but save on the precious wood and check pollution,'" added Sharma, who is also a photographer.

However, for people who insist on burning Holika as part of the traditon, provision of small "kund" (pots) had also been made.

Nearby residents have been requested to burn only old wood extracted from used furniture and not to buy wood from the market.

The event had been made really eco friendly.