What is so auspicious about celebrating Holi at Vrindavan?? Know the epic story

Holi, the festival of colours, has been celebrated in India for thousands of years. The festival is full of joy and pompous shows. People celebrate it by inviting relatives and friends at home, organise party, arrange powdered colours, pichkari, bhang and even DJ with songs related to the festival in the playlist.

The festival is not only limited to India now, and is also celebrated by various communities of South Asia, including non-Hindu communities. Like every other festival Holi also has its own mythological tales to tell but the one which is most famous is Holi of Vrindavan.

Why it is celebrated for what reason, what’s the tradition? Let us make you aware with all of these!!!

STORY BEHIND VRINDAVAN HOLI

While Holi is celebrated in almost every part of India, Holi in Braj is especially famous. Braj is a historical region which covers the area of Mathura, Vrindavan and some nearby areas. Celebrating Holi here attracts tourists and pilgrims from all over the world because of its unique customs and traditions.

Mathura is the birth-place of Lord Krishna and Vrindavan is the place where he grew up. When Krishna was young, he cribbed to his mother about Radha being fair while Krishna himself was dark-complexioned. His mother Yashoda suggested him to colour Radha with colours in a playful manner.

Over the years, since then, Krishna from his village Nandgaon used to go to Barsana (Radha’s Village) to colour Radha and other Gopis. They also used to playfully beat him with sticks. Hence the tradition evolved and is followed as it is.

SPECIALITY OF VRINDAVAN HOLI CELEBRATION

The Banke-Bihari Temple in Vrindavan is one such place to enjoy the festivities as it hosts a week-long Holi here. Within these days, the idol of Bihariji (another name of Lord Krishna) is dressed up in white coloured clothes and is brought closer to his devotees to play Holi.

Vrindavan holi is played with coloured water and gulal, a form of colour made using organic substances like flowers and kesar. Goswamis (priests in the temple) sprinkle colours on everyone using buckets, pichkaris (water guns), etc.

The whole atmosphere is made even more lively with bhajans in the the background and people dance to the tunes while playing with colours.

A special type of holi – lathmaar holi is celebrated in Mathura where, ladies beat men with bamboo sticks in the courtyard of Dauji Temple. They also rip their clothes and after the ritual, everyone joins to play Holi.

Happy Holi!! Play Safe Stay Safe and Enjoy the Festival to the Fullest.