Holi is one of the most popular and vibrant festivals in India, celebrated by people of all ages with great enthusiasm and fervour. The festival is also known as the “Festival of Colours” and is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Phalguna, which usually falls in February or March. One of the most famous celebrations of Holi takes place in the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh, which is considered to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna.
Braj is a region in Uttar Pradesh, which encompasses a number of towns and villages that are associated with the life and times of Lord Krishna. Mathura, Vrindavan, and Barsana are some of the most important towns in Braj, which are known for their unique style of celebrating Holi. In Braj, the celebrations of Holi start about a week before the actual day of Holi and continue until Rang Panchami, which is celebrated five days after Holi.
The Braj Holi celebrations are unique in their own way and are different from the celebrations in other parts of the country. The Holi celebrations in Braj are a mix of music, dance, food, and colours, which create an atmosphere of love and happiness. People from all over the world come to Braj during Holi to experience the festivities and immerse themselves in the culture and traditions of the region.
The celebrations of Braj Holi start with the Lathmar Holi in Barsana, which is a unique celebration where women beat up men with sticks. According to legend, Lord Krishna visited his beloved Radha’s village during Holi and playfully teased her and her friends. In response, the women of the village chased Lord Krishna away with sticks. The tradition of Lathmar Holi is a reenactment of this event, and men from neighbouring villages come to Barsana to be chased and beaten up by the women.
The next day, the celebrations move to Nandgaon, the village of Lord Krishna’s foster father Nanda. Here, the men from Nandgaon playfully drench the women with coloured water and sing songs to invite them to play Holi. The women respond by beating the men with sticks and chasing them away.
The celebrations of Braj Holi culminate in Mathura and Vrindavan, where people from all over the world come to play Holi with colours and flowers. The atmosphere is electric, with music and dance performances, street food, and the colourful streets filled with people throwing colours on each other. The temples of Mathura and Vrindavan are also decorated beautifully during Holi, and people come to offer their prayers and seek blessings from the deities.
Braj Holi is not just a festival, but an experience that leaves an everlasting impression on those who witness it. The colours, the music, the food, and the traditions of Braj Holi create an atmosphere of love and harmony that transcends all boundaries of caste, creed, and religion. It is a celebration of life, love, and the triumph of good over evil, which brings people from all over the world together to celebrate the spirit of humanity.
