Rishikesh: On the eve of Holi on Wednesday, Parmarth Niketan, the largest ashram in Rishikesh, took a pledge to follow clean and green practices while conducting their rituals. The ashram decided they will be using gobar patties instead of wood for the ‘Holika Dahan’ and also continue this practice in their other rituals hereafter. “We have pledged to make all our daily ‘havans’ and ‘yagnas’ woodless from the auspicious occasion of Holika Dahan. In this way, we can utilise the cow dung which too often lies wasted on our streets, and also save trees and protect our environment,” said Swami Chidanand Saraswati, head of the ashram.He added that “this year, Holi was falling at the same time as the International Happiness Day (March 20), International Forest Day (March 21) and World Water Day (March 22).” “In accordance with the significance of the festival this year, a special pledge has been taken to keep our forests and sacred rivers clean, and to make all our festivals and holidays into clean and green ones. It is only by protecting our nature and culture can we truly be happy and thereby protect our collective future.”People from around 35 countries participated in the pre-Holi celebrations at the ashram during which eco-friendly, organic colours of turmeric, sandalwood and natural flower dyes were used. Michael Miller, a visitor from London, said, “ Celebrating Green Holi is very important since Holi is about releasing past mistakes and letting go of the damage we have done to the earth and to each other.” Laurie Larson, another visitor from Korea added, “As I'm throwing the colours and flowers, I symbolically release the past but at the same time, the colour is also a reminder of all the beauty that surrounds us.”

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