Ranchi Markets Burst with Holi Colors as Festive Shopping Peaks
As Holi approaches, Ranchi's city markets are experiencing a spectacular transformation, with areas like Lalpur, Doranda, Upper Bazar, and Morhabadi becoming vibrant centers of festive activity. The streets are alive with a dazzling array of colors, drawing crowds eager to prepare for the celebrations.
Vibrant Stalls and Innovative Products
Temporary stalls have sprung up across major intersections and roadside stretches, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the city. These stalls are overflowing with neon pink, electric blue, and sunshine yellow gulal, while colorful water balloons hang like decorative garlands. Shelves are stocked with an impressive variety of pichkaris, including cartoon-shaped designs, metallic water guns, backpack-style spray tanks, and the latest trend among teenagers: smoke color bombs.
Shopkeepers report a significant increase in sales over the past week, with evenings particularly busy. "Families are coming together to shop, and children are especially excited about the new fancy pichkaris," explained Ramesh Agarwal, a trader in Lalpur. "We're seeing a clear shift toward organic and skin-friendly gulal, with parents being more careful about what they purchase."
Growing Demand for Natural and Herbal Colors
The demand for natural shades has grown steadily, with customers specifically seeking out rose-scented pink powder and turmeric-based yellow colors. Despite this eco-friendly trend, traditional bright powders, glitter gulal, silver sprays, and quirky Holi-themed sunglasses continue to attract younger shoppers.
"We buy herbal products for elders and bright colors for friends. Holi without vibrant colors feels incomplete," said college student Ayush Kumar at a stall near the Morabadi vendor market, highlighting the balance between tradition and safety.
Eco-Friendly Initiatives Across Districts
Beyond Ranchi, the movement toward herbal colors has gained significant momentum in other districts. In Khunti, women from the Champa Mahila Mandal in Belahati village under Tirla panchayat are preparing herbal gulal using natural ingredients like:
- Spinach
- Beetroot
- Turmeric
- Palash flowers
These chemical-free colors are available at Palash Mart in Khunti, providing a safe alternative for celebrants. Similarly, in Simdega, self-help groups from Thetaitangar, Bano, Kersai, and Jaldega blocks have launched herbal gulal under the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS) initiative, promoting both safe and environmentally friendly celebrations.
Festive Atmosphere Takes Over the City
The entire city of Ranchi has embraced the festive spirit, with loudspeakers playing traditional Holi songs, shopfronts draped in colorful buntings, and shoppers engaged in animated bargaining. The atmosphere is one of joyous preparation, as Ranchi immerses itself completely in the hues of Holi, creating a memorable pre-festival experience for residents and visitors alike.
