Holi
The Holi festival in Barsana and Nandgaon, two villages of Uttar Pradesh, India, are currently popular for a distinct and traditional method of the festival of colours celebration. These annual events are really associated with the mythology of Lord Krishna and Radha and the festival draws thousands of pilgrims and reporters from all over the world.
In Hinduism’s scriptural narrative, Lord Krishna, who was from Nandgaon, used to go to Barsana, the home of Radha, to play Holi with her and their girlfriends, the Gopis. Krishna was always playing the role of the prankster, one day he would throw colours at Radha and her friends.
The brave women of Barsana would reply by chasing and scaring off Krishna and his little group with sticks, which is how Lathmar Holi — or Holi with sticks — originated.
Photo Story: Holi – Colours of Joy
A few days before the actual date of the Holi festival, the celebration in Barsana is started. Men from Nandgaon visit women in Barsana and play Holi with them while the women strike the men using sticks and hence the men use the shields to protect themselves.
This bit of fun is a tribute to the mythical “Peace in the War” story and hosts an impressive audience every single time. The day after, the village of Nandgaon hosts the festival where the males of Barsana pay a surprise visit to their female friends.
This is not a recollection of the events that had happened but the girls (as Radha), in fact, went to Krishna’s village. And instead of dancing anxiously, the tourists indulge in artistic activities such as colouring the residents. Singing devotional songs (Hori), for example, and praying are the main rituals of the day.
During these days, both locales are decorated in brilliant colours, traditional music, and the stage is set with spiritual energy. The temples are decorated, and the longest “pujas” (worship ceremonies) are performed.
Holi not only is the epitome of the divine love of Radha and Krishna but also grants people the chance to be cheerful, unified, and to keep their traditions alive.
Image Courtesy: Author
Professional Documentary Photographer. Love to explore new places and interact with the natives. She aims to give a message with her photographs to the audience.
