The Maharashtra government on March 17 issued guidelines for Holi, saying people should celebrate the festival of colours without congregating on a large scale and observe COVID-appropriate behaviour as the disease is still prevalent.
This year, ' Holika Dahan' is being observed on Thursday and ' Dhulivandan' and ' Rangpanchami' — during which people apply colours to each other — will be celebrated on March 18 and 22, respectively. “Holi/Shimga is celebrated on a big scale throughout Maharashtra. The festival should possibly be celebrated without crowding and by observing COVID-appropriate behaviour given the coronavirus situation,” the State Home Department said in a circular.