Holi festivities begin in Braj
Priests throw ‘gulal’ powder on devotees at Bankey Bihari temple on the occasion of Basant Panchami that marks the beginning of the 40-day Holi celebrations in Braj region, in Vrindavan on Tuesday.
A BATON TERMED AS ‘DAANDA’ WAS ALSO FIXED ON TEMPLES ALL OVER BRAJ.
The festival of Basant Panchami on Tuesday marked the beginning of the 40-day Holi in Braj region, particularly Mathura and Vrindavan.
Gulal (coloured powder) was sprinkled on the premises of the Bankey Behari Temple, ushering in the Holi festivities. A baton termed as ‘daanda’ was also fixed on temples all over Braj.
“Elsewhere Holi is a one-day festival but the story is different in Krishnaland Braj. Here it is a 40-day affair and Basant Panchami marks the beginning. At the onset, ‘gulal’ will be used in temples and liquid colour will be used from Rangbharni Ekadashi onwards,” said Mohan Swaroop Bhatia, who was awarded Padamshree for his work on Braj literature and culture.
“Villagers begin assembling waste wooden pieces and cow dung cakes at specific locations and it gets piled up for Holika Dahan by the eve of Dhulendi – the day colour is played. But the festivities continue in Mathura with ‘Huranga’ celebrated at temples where dances, including ‘Churukula’, are performed,” said Bhatia.
Holi always occupies centre stage in Braj and is the most favourite festival in Mathura, where lakhs of devotees gather to celebrate it.
A year ago, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath was in Barsana, the village of Radha (spiritual consort of Lord Krishna) to witness the famous ‘lathmaar Holi’.