Shahjahanpur’s ‘Laat Saheb’ Holi: Tradition Meets Safety in Vibrant Festival

In Shahjahanpur, special preparations are underway for the traditional ‘Laat Saheb’ Holi procession, which happens on the same day as Friday prayers. To keep everyone safe, local officials have covered nearby mosques with tarps and set up strong security measures.

During this fun event, people throw shoes at a person dressed as ‘Laat Saheb,’ who is based on a British Lord. To ensure safety, the city has built barricades along the way and installed many cameras. Superintendent of Police Rajesh S mentioned there are 18 Holi processions, with the main one divided into three sections to manage crowds better. Around 100 magistrates and about 1,500 police officers will be on duty.

Also, to prevent any trouble, police have taken steps against over 2,400 people who might cause issues. The police want everyone to enjoy Holi safely, saying they will closely monitor the festivities.

Municipal Commissioner Vipin Kumar Mishra explained that about 350 cameras are placed along the procession route to capture the celebrations, and they will be collected by two tractor trolleys.

Historian Dr. Vikas Khurana said this tradition started back in 1728 when Nawab Abdullah Khan returned to the city during Holi. Over the years, the format of the celebration has changed, but it has remained strong despite past attempts to stop it.

Harnaam Katihar, a member of the organizing committee, mentioned that the procession starts at Kuncha Lala and moves toward Phoolmati Temple, where ‘Laat Saheb’ offers prayers. There, he humorously questions the police about last year’s crimes. During the parade, people jokingly hit the ‘Laat Saheb’ with their shoes. The procession covers a distance of seven kilometers before returning to the starting point.

This celebration brings locals together and keeps the spirit of the tradition alive.