Bhubaneswar, March 1 (IANS) The Christian community in Orissa's Kandhamal district, which was hit by communal violence two years ago, joined their Hindu brethren Monday to celebrate Holi with much enthusiasm and bonding.

'They buried their differences and smeared colour on each other, distributed sweets and danced to the tune of drum beats at several places,' a district police officer told IANS.

Thirty-eight people had been killed during the riots in Kandhamal.

Hundreds of Muslims also joined the celebrations at Narayanpur village in Subarnapur district and at Fakirtakia village in the coastal district of Jagatsinghpur, 110 km from state capital Bhubaneswar.