Holi, the most joyous festivals of India. Holi in Vrindavan, Mathura and Barsana is visited by various individuals from everywhere the world. All things considered, it is an incredible festival. In spite of the fact that there is a decent date for Holi, the festival begins from Basant Panchami and go on past the day of Holi (Phalgun Purnima). To encounter the best of Holi, we prescribe you to show up a couple of days before the genuine Holi and remain past that date.
Indian festival tours are the best way to get exposure about intricate details of different festivals of the country and what better way than to start your festival tour holi in Braj covering different parts of Braj and revel in the celebrations of the festival of colours. Planning to see and experience the authentic and conventional form of Holi celebrations? The following should surely be part of your India Holi tour.
The Colorful Legend of Holi
Holi, the vibrant and joyous festival of colors, is celebrated with enthusiasm and fervor across India and other parts of the world. Behind this exuberant celebration lies a rich tapestry of myths and legends that give the festival its cultural significance.
One of the most famous legends associated with Holi is the story of Prahlada and Holika. Prahlada, a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu, was persecuted by his own demoness aunt, Holika, who had the power to withstand fire. In a cruel attempt to kill Prahlada, Holika sat on a pyre with the young boy on her lap. However, her protection was stripped away by divine intervention, and Prahlada emerged unscathed while Holika burned. This victory of good over evil is celebrated during Holi, with the lighting of bonfires symbolizing the triumph of virtue.
Holi is not just a festival of colors but also a celebration of these timeless legends, reinforcing the values of righteousness, victory of good over evil, and the importance of faith and devotion. It is a festival that transcends religious and cultural boundaries, uniting people in the spirit of love, forgiveness, and the joy of life.
Lathmar Holi in Barsana
The festivities start with the Lathmar Holi in Barsana, a place close to Mathura – the village where Radha used to stay. The festival is celebrated about a week prior to the actual date. As per legends Krishna and his group of friends would travel to Barsana every year before Holi to celebrate it with Radha and her friends.
The unique aspect about the celebration is that men belonging to Nandgaon dress up as Krishna and put colours on the women in Barsana. In response, women dressed up as Radha beat the men with sticks or Lath playfully and in sporting spirit. The Radha-Rani temple is a popular venue here and the festivities around here just cannot be missed. Celebrations the next day at Nandgaon. A similar kind of fun and celebrations is organized at Nandgaon, Krishna’s village where women from Radha’s village Barsana come over to apply colour to the men here.
Holi in Vrindavan
The Banke-Bihari Temple at Vrindavan is another place that needs to feature on your itenary of Holi festival tour. The festivities start here well in advance. Following traditions, the idol of Lord Krishna is dressed up in a white colour dress followed by the shower of gulaal (colours) and flowers with traditional pichkaris and water guns on followers.
Priests called Goswamis also follow suit and spray colours on all devotees. The unique point about the celebrations here is that it is done using organic materials like flowers. With bhajans and religious music filling up the background and devotes chanting the name of Krishna and other sacred texts, the place is filled with joyousness and bliss amidst devotees dancing and enjoying the moment.
Holi in Mathura
Celebrations at the Dauji Temple which get a little belligerent called Huranga, it is a customary celebration where women beat up men gleefully in the temple premises. This age-old celebration is restricted to the family that built the temple which has about 3000 living members now – women from the family beat up the men and even tear open their dresses before everyone else joins in celebrating Holi the traditional way.
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