A vibrant festival of colors has begun on Friday in the narrow lanes of Braj, an event whose echoes will resonate throughout the world.
On the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami, a surge of devotion swept through Mathura and Vrindavan, the city of Lord Krishna. As soon as the colored powder (gulal) was thrown at the Banke Bihari temple, the famous 40-day festival of colors in Braj was formally inaugurated.
Millions of devotees had gathered at the Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan since morning. As soon as the time for the Rajbhog Aarti arrived, the temple priests began showering the devotees with abir and gulal on behalf of Lord Banke Bihari.
The entire temple complex resonated with the chants of ‘Jai Banke Bihari Lal’. As pink and red gulal fell on the devotees dressed in white and yellow, every face was drenched in the colors of devotion. It is believed that Holi in Braj begins with offering gulal at the feet of Banke Bihari.
Meanwhile, a different spectacle unfolded at the ancient Radharaman temple. Lord Radharaman wore a special yellow outfit today. In the temple courtyard, adorned with spring-colored flowers, devotees witnessed this captivating form of their deity. Radharaman Lal’s yellow attire and the Basanti Bhojan (yellow rice and saffron halwa) were the center of attraction for the devotees. Besides this, special events were also organized at the Dwarkadhish temple and Shahji temple to mark the arrival of spring.
This ‘Holi festival’, which began on Basant Panchami in Braj, will continue for the next 40 days, until Rangbhari Ekadashi and the main Holi festival. During these 40 days, Lathmar Holi, Laddu Holi, and Phoolon ki Holi will be celebrated in various villages and temples of Braj.
Considering the large crowds, the district administration had made elaborate security arrangements. Mathura and Vrindavan were divided into different zones, and magistrates were deployed. The entry of heavy vehicles had already been restricted to prevent inconvenience to the devotees walking on foot.
Holi in Braj is not just a festival, but a spiritual experience. Its commencement on Vasant Panchami signifies that both nature and devotion are now ready to be immersed in a riot of colors.