A week before Holi, festivities begin for Vrindavan widows

Mathura: It is still a week a to go for Holi but festivities have already begun in Brijbhumi Vrindavan.Devotees enjoyed the festival of colours at the famous Dwarkadhish temple yesterday and many more such events will unfold in the run up to Holi.Imparting a touch of pathos to the celebrations would be an attempt to add a dash of colours to the otherwise insipid lives of the Vrindavan widows who live the life of a recluse, having been deserted by their families.In an effort to help the social assimilation, the social service organisation- Sulabh International has been organising Holi celebrations for them for the last couple of years.[caption id="attachment_2680880" align="alignleft" width="380"] A widow at Vrindavan. File photo. Reuters[/caption]"One thousand widows in the sacred town of Vrindavan would play Holi on 21 March. It would be a break from the tradition that normally forbids a widow from wearing coloured clothes or playing with colours during Holi", Sulabh's founder Bindeshwar Pathak said.Meanwhile, finishing touches are being given to arrangements for Lathmar Holi, which is played with sticks and leather shields, in Barsana on Thursday and Nandgaon on Friday.Besides the famous Lathmar Holi of Barsana and Nandgaon, the tourists can enjoy different shades of 'Holi of Brij' during 'Holi of Sri Krishna Janmasthan' on 19 March, said Kapil Sharma, the secretary of Sri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan.Holi festivities in the temples and pilgrim town of Vrindavan will start on 19 March and continue till 24.According to Govind Pandey, the priest of 'Dau Ji' temple, Baldev, the famous 'Huranga' Holi will be held on 25 March."Security in Barsana has been tightened and drone cameras would be used during Lathmar Holi of Barsana and Nandgaon", DM Rajesh Kumar said.PTI