Lunar eclipse or not, Kharghar woke up to colour on 3 March, from as early as 7 am. Residential societies across the node saw children, teenagers and adults stepping out with packets of gulal, water pichkaris and the unmistakable intent to celebrate Dhulivandan the way they always have — on the day immediately following Holika Dahan.
Technically, a Chandra Grahan was scheduled later in the afternoon. Traditionally, eclipses come with a sutak period during which many households avoid festive activity. Last night as Holika Bonfires lit up Kharghar, it seemed like the community would be observing the Lunar Eclipse, and celebrating Dhulivandan on 4 March. However, today practicality seemed to prevail.
For one, the eclipse timing was after 3 pm — well past the peak of morning celebrations. More importantly, offices and institutions had declared a holiday today, not tomorrow. For working families, postponing celebrations to 4 March was simply not feasible. So colour it was!
Groups moved within societies first — then beyond. Friends roamed through lanes in small clusters, smearing colour on familiar faces, offering festive greetings, occasionally ambushing an unsuspecting neighbour who had hoped to stay indoors. Water splashed. Music played. Laughter carried.
In fact, participation appeared stronger and more sustained than last year, with celebrations stretching well into the late morning.
By early afternoon, most societies began winding down, well ahead of the eclipse window.
If anything, today reflected something distinctly urban: tradition acknowledged, but interpreted through routine and circumstance. Kharghar did not ignore the eclipse — it simply celebrated before it.
