Business is a riot of colours in Vizag’s commercial hub as the city stocks up on Holi artillery, bolstered by the arrival of the latest in pichkaris. Markets in the city are buzzing with activities, as people of all age groups are busy making purchases for Holi. Both established and makeshift shops are offering a range of products, including scented Gulal, sprinklers, water guns, and colours. Guns that sprayed gulal are in demand this year, said traders.

For the first time in three years, Holi will not be tempered by the spectre of Covid. Vizag is drenched in colours but anyone who is unwilling to get smeared in colours has the right to say no. Holi brings a time of fun-filled celebrations with traditional sweets, foot-tapping music, and vibrant colours. As you celebrate the victory of good over evil with a rainbow of aabir, it’s also time to get your favourite festive sweets, because no Indian festival feels complete without buying your favourite mithai from that favourite city shop.  

Sweet shops in the city were also busy as people waited in queues to buy barfis, gujiyas, and laddus. The sale of dry fruits has picked up in the city. Also, a variety of sweets and 'namkeens' wrapped in beautiful gift packs are flying off the shelves.  One can find trays of sweets with different flavours displayed in outlets across the city. 

“Holi is incomplete without mouth-watering gujiya, which adds sweetness to the festival. Being a traditional local Indian sweet, it has good demand during Holi, especially attracting youngsters said NSR Prabhakar Varma, Director of Sarvani Sweets and added those with a sweet tooth are also buying delicacies like, 'Kaju Katli, Paneer Jalebi, 'chandrakala', and Motichoor Ladoo available in various varieties in our outlets. Denizens have already booked their orders for gujiya and other gastronomical delights to serve their guests and friends on Holi.   

Keeping in mind the increase in the sale of milk products in local markets, I have booked orders for gujiya only from reputed sweetmeat shop," said Manmadha Rao, a city-based entrepreneur, adding that dry fruits would also be served to guests so that they have an assortment to choose from.  

Anjaneya, A shopkeeper at Poorna Market said besides, 'besan', 'maida' and 'suji',  there is a high demand for dry fruits like cashew nuts, golden raisins, walnuts, almonds, and pistachio nuts (pista)." 

The spread is huge at the glass counter in the Sarvani Sweets outlet at Malkapuram. Colourful rasgullas in orange, and strawberry, are not just good to look at but have a different taste compared to the traditional white ball of chhana. Kaju paan with a light green coloured body stuffed with dry fruits looks attractive.  

“These are specially made for the Holi season along with other sweets like Kacha Golla and Kheer Kadam, Kaju pista rolls also available," said Sukdev, sales associate of the outlet.   

G Shanmuk Rao, a septuagenarian, says “No one will let you go without the traditional ‘muh meetha’ which means you can’t go without being treated with sweets which are considered harbingers of joy and good luck”.  

“To me, Holi is known as the festival of colours , it’s a beacon of hope and merriment. In spite of my ICSE Board examinations, I along with elders of the family get one day to enjoy colours, water balloons, and delicacies said J Lolakshi, resident of NGGOs colony.   

Among non-vegetarians, the demand for mutton and chicken is always high during the festival of colours. Given their huge demand, prices of mutton and chicken have also gone up this festive season. "Last year every mutton outlet sold over 50 goats. We expect a similar quantity of sales this year too," said Salim, a mutton seller in one town area.   

While every community has its own special dishes, some sweets may be common, like kheer or milk pudding, made with rice or sago and milk. Similarly, Gulab jamuns are also very popular. And then there is the wondrous Motichoor laddoo — available in all regions, in their own little variations.   

Chandrachur Singh, the navy veteran says that traditionally there are three kinds of Holi: Mathura, Awadh, and Benaras. The food differs slightly in the three regions”. While Mathura is famous for chaat and thandai, Awadh is well-known for the syrupy gujiya and Malpua. Holi cuisine in Benaras is all about bhang mixed sherbet, halwa, and jalebi. “ Bhang leaves are mixed with almost everything in Benaras,” he says. (Bhang is legally consumed and there are licensed dealers)