SHAMLI/MEERUT: Holika Dahan, a fire ritual, marks the triumph of the good over the evil. It is accompanied by prayers offered by women, which takes place on the eve of Holi and is considered an integral part of the festival. However, a village in Saharanpur – Barsi - doesn't observe this ritual. Rather, the women of the village move to an adjacent village to perform the holy rites.
The local villagers believe that if Holika Dahan is observed here, Lord Shiva's feet will get burnt. Barsi is home to an ancient Lord Shiva temple, which is said to be as old as Mahabharata, and plays a key role in this popular legend.
