Amongst India's innumerable festivals, Holi ranks as the most colourful one. It celebrates the arrival of Spring and death of demoness Holika, a celebration of joy and hope. Holi provides a refreshing respite from the mundane norms as people from all walks of life enjoy themselves. In a tight knit community, it also provides a good excuse for letting off some steam and setting old scores, without causing physical injury.
Holi continues to be celebrated with great vigour through out India. Indians all over the world eagerly await the Festival of Colours, as bonfires are lit to banish the cold dark nights of winter and usher in warmer Spring. Dhulati, day after Holi, is the actual festival of colour, when everything in sight is covered in a riot of colours.
Twin towns of Nandagaon (where Lord Krishna grew up) and Barsana (where Shri Radha grew up), near Mathura, are the epicentre of the celebration. Lord Krishna, while growing up in Vraj, popularised the festival with his ingenious pranks. Gopies of Vraj responded with equal enthusiasm and the festivities have continued ever since. Celebrations start a week earlier than rest of India. Men of nandagaon raid Barsana with hopes of raising their flag over Shri Radhikaji's temple. They receive a thunderous welcome as the women of Barsana greet them with long wooden sticks. The men are soundly beaten as they attempt to rush through town to reach the relative safety of Shri Radhikaji's temple. Men are well padded as they are not allowed to retaliate. In this mock battle the men try their best not to be captured. Unlucky captives can be forcefully lead away, thrashed and dressed in female attire before being made to dance!!
The next day, men of Barsana reciprocate by invading Nandagaon. Clouds of pink and white powder mark the frenzy of activity taking place in it's narrow streets. A naturally occurring orange-red dye, kesudo, is used to drench all participants. Today, the women of Nandagaon beat the invaders from Barsana. It is a colourful site. In the interest of tourism and safety, the state tourist board has set up excellent vantage points for the public. A large open ground, on the outskirts of the town is especially set aside for the most magnificent display of the festivities.
The next day, the temples in Vrindavana celebrate the festival with great guesto. The renowned temple of Bakai-Bihari, the beloved lord of the 15th century Saint Haridas, is at the centre of the festivities. Clouds of pink and white descend upon the pilgrims, as the Lord of Vrindavana plays Holi with all his beloved visitors.
The festival moves on to other parts of Vraj. Soon enough, it is Dhulati and entire India celebrates the joys of Spring as the "Festival of Colour".
