Holika Dahan celebrations in Mathura

People roast green cereals in Holi bonfire and exchange sweets

The ancient city of Mathura where Lord Krishna was born celebrated the festival of Holika Dahan with great fervour. To mark the occasion, huge bonfires along with statues of demoness Holika carrying Prahlada in her lap were placed at all the main squares and marketplaces of Mathura. But, the grandest of the celebrations were conducted at Holi Gate, where a large number of women performed Holika Puja till 4 pm. Holika Dahan was conducted late at 9 pm.  

Holika Puja at Holi Gali

The main event of Holika Dahan was conducted by Holikotsava Samiti at Holi Gate. A large number of women from nearby regions conducted Holika Puja at Holi Gate. Along with traditional items of Puja like whole turmeric, whole rice, Kumkum and Gulal a string of small cow dung cakes was also offered to Holi bonfire. Following the Puja, Parikrama of Holi bonfire was done by women with a cotton thread. The Puja rituals were concluded with Aarti. Thousands of women conducted Holika and Prahlada worship from 10 am to 4 pm. At 7 pm, Karshni Guru Sharanananda worshipped Holika and performed Aarti. Local artists performed various cultural events. A large crowd gathered to witness the celebrations often obstructing the traffic in the region. Other major locations of Mathura including Holi Gali, Rangeshwar temple region and Dampier Nagar square also held Holika Dahan events.  

A group of women worshipping Holika and Prahlada

People buying green cereals for roasting in Holi bonfire

At Holi Gate and Holi Gali, Holika Dahan was performed at 9 pm and 11 pm respectively. A large number of locals along with visitors gathered around the Holi bonfire for the event of Holika Dahan. People took a piece of burning cow dung cake to light the Holi bonfire at home as it is considered auspicious.

                     A local resident sharing her thoughts on Holika Dahan

As the festival of Holi also coincides with the harvesting season in many parts of the country, people also roasted green cereals like wheat and chickpea in the Holi bonfire. Later these roasted cereals were shared with loved ones and neighbours and Holi wishes were exchanged along with traditional sweets like Gujiya and Gulab Jamun. The next day of Holika Dahan is Dhulandi or Rangwali Holi. People across the Brij region will play Holi on March 10.

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Holika Dahan today, statues of Bhakta Prahlada and Holika placed in decorated pavilions

The first day of the festival of Holi, Holika Dahan will be celebrated today, which is Purnima of Phalguna Shukla Paksha. Holika Pujan and Holika Dahan will be conducted when the Purva Phalguni Nakshatra prevails in Leo. To mark the occasion, huge statues of Holika and Prahlada have been placed at every major marketplace and square in Mathura. Holika Dahan will be done in the evening at the right Muhurat.   

Preparations for Holika Dahan had started from Vasant Panchami with the placing of Holika or a wooden stick at major squares and crossroads in the city. Subsequently, more and more sticks along with cow dung cakes were placed around the Holika to be burnt on Holika Dahan day. As a part of the occasion, big statues of demoness Holika and Prahlada is placed on the Holi bonfire as a symbolic representation of the age-old event. In Mathura, Holika Dahan will be conducted at Chowk Bajar, Bharatpur Gate, Holi Gate, Krishna Nagar, Arya Samaj Road, Vikas Bajar and Masani Chauraha.

Statue of Holika and Prahlada placed in a Pavillion at Holi Gate, Mathura

Artisans start making Holika statues 4 months prior

Local clay artisans called Kumhar started making Holika and Prahlada statues around 4 months before the Holika Dahan festival. As per the local artisans, the process of statue-making involves many steps, first being the preparation of structure with clay and cardboards. The structure is then dried in sunlight followed by painting and highlighting. The last part includes the decoration in which statues are decked in beautiful clothes and ornaments.

Statues of Holika and Prahlada made by local artisans 

Guru Sharanananda Maharaj will inaugurate the main celebrations at Holi Gate

General Secretary of Holikotsav Samiti of Mathura, Madan Mohan Shrivastav told Drik Panchang correspondent that the main event of Holika Dahan will be held at Holi Gate square at around 7 in the evening. Guru Sharanananda Maharaj will preside over the celebrations while various political leaders and people’s representatives will also mark their presence. Local artists will perform in the cultural event for which a huge pavilion has been erected at the square.

Holika Dahan Muhurat

Holika Dahan Muhurta - 06:26 PM to 08:52 PM

Duration - 02 Hours 26 Mins

Bhadra Punchha - 09:37 AM to 10:38 AM

Bhadra Mukha - 10:38 AM to 12:19 PM

Holika Dahan during Pradosh with Udaya Vyapini Purnima

Purnima Tithi Begins - 03:03 AM on Mar 09, 2020

Purnima Tithi Ends - 11:17 PM on Mar 09, 2020

Items needed for Holika Puja

One must sit facing either East or North direction while doing Holika Puja. For Puja, place a water pitcher, flower garland, Kumkum, Akshat, scent, flowers, thread, jaggery, whole turmeric, Moong beans, Batashe, Gulal and coconut in a Thali. Furthermore, also take green cereals to roast in Holika bonfire.

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Brij gets a Holi makeover, markets decked up with colorful Pichkari and Rang-Gulal

People throng markets defying the Coronavirus threat; the demand for herbal colors rises

The city of Lord Krishna, Mathura is once again ready to welcome the festival of colors, Holi. But, the current happenings in India and the world have been impacting the market greatly for the last few weeks. Be it the novel Coronavirus or the latest bank crisis, the market is facing blows from all directions. Moreover, ongoing political upheaval is also reflected in the preparations of Holi celebrations. Drik Panchang correspondent visited main markets of Mathura to get a clearer picture of Holi preparations in the city.

Customers buying Pichkari at a local market in Mathura

Firstly, people seemed largely unfazed with the Coronavirus threat and thronged markets in large crowds to make their purchases. With the festival of colors Holi just one day away, markets across Mathura could be seen brimming with enthusiastic customers of all ages. All the main markets were decorated with colourful *Gulal and *Pichkari of different shapes and sizes. PUBG and Doraemon Pichkari were particularly attracting children, while gift boxes of red, pink, yellow and green Gulal were the centre of attraction amongst young people.

Colorful Gulal at display in a local market

The main market areas in Mathura, the Holi Gate, Chhatta Bajar, Chowk Bajar, Bharatpur Gate, Kotawali Road, Arya Samaj Road and Vikas Bajar are the focal points of Holi activities. The enthusiasm with which the people of Brij prepped up for Holi could be experienced in those stuffy markets where ancient and modern India goes hand-in-hand. Pichkaris decorated with modern-day cartoon characters and mobile games were displayed in glass-cabinet to attract children. Then there were Gulal in bright hues of yellow, green, red and orange and traditional headgear of Brij, Pagadi, hooked passersby of every age and group.

Colorful Pagadi for Holi celebrations

Like many festivals, during the Holi festival also, choices of young people and children dictate market trends. As per the local shopkeepers, Pichkaris as costly as ₹ 1,200 were available in the market. Rang and Gulal were available in various sachets, most popular were the sachets of 100 grams available in the price range of ₹ 10-45. The demand for organic color has risen substantially over the years and markets even in small cities like Mathura can be seen catching up with the current trends as organic Gulal finding their place on the shelves.  

Market prices for color and Pichkari

Pichkari – ₹ 10 to Rs 1,200

Chemical Gulal – ₹ 60 for 5 kg

Organic Gulal – ₹ 10-40 for 100 grams

Colorful hats – ₹ 10-60

Pagadi – ₹ 40-60

Beard and Mustache – ₹ 10

Wig – ₹ 50-80

Color spray – ₹ 20-100

Wet color – ₹ 60 for 100 grams

*Pichkari - Water gun

*Gulal - Color powder 

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Barsana comes alive with the celebrations of Lathmar Holi

Barsana displayed its unique hue of Holi festivities with the world-famous Lathmar Holi on March 04. The celebrations were held at a place called Rangili Gali near Ladliji temple. The whole atmosphere was made alive with colorfully clad men and women and the beats of traditional music. The highlight of the celebrations was the lighthearted teasing of men and the playful retaliation of women by beating the men up with wooden sticks.  

Women beating up men with wooden sticks during the Lathmar holi in Barsana

Men or Gwalas as they are called in Nandagaon reached Barsana in large groups to play the Lathmar Holi with the Gopis of Barsana. Men were decked in traditional attire and headgear called Pagadi and women in Lehanga-Chunari for the occasion. Singing traditional Holi songs and laced with shields, water guns and Gulal the Gwala-Mandali made their way to Ladliji temple. To welcome the party, people of Barsana were ready with a large quantity of color made from Tesu flowers and huge water guns. As soon as the party reached the temple, they were drenched in the beautiful yellow color of Tesu flowers.

The revelries of Lathmar Holi began in Rangili Gali with the playful teasing and lighthearted jokes of men from Nandagaon. Women, ready with wooden sticks, beat them up amid the environment of high-spirited fun and laughter. Furthermore, the traditional Holi songs of Brij and the dancing enthralled everyone with the charm of the ancient land of Lord Krishna and Radha Rani. 

A dancer dancing on the beats of traditional Holi songs of Brij

Amidst all the fun, an age-old tradition of presenting a flag symbolizing Lord Krishna was also observed. As per the traditions, the flag was smeared in Gulal and decked in flower garlands for the ritual. Then, as a symbolic representation of Lord Krishna, it was taken in front of the statue of Shree Radha Rani at the Ladliji temple where the union of Radha-Krishna was performed by the temple priests. Afterwards, folk songs were sung in Brij Bhasha by groups of folk singers from Nandagaon and Barsana.  

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Thousands play Laddu Holi in Barsana

The town of Barsana in Brij region celebrated its unique Laddu Holi on March 03. The revelries of Laddu Holi began at Shree Radha Rani temple at around 4:30 pm and soon the whole ambience got covered in the red hue. Thousands of visitors who reached Barsana from various parts of the country as well as from abroad threw tons of Gulal on one another. Amid all the fun and frolic, tones and tones of Laddus were thrown on revellers from the temple terrace. Men, women, young and old, all were seen trying to get a hold on just one Laddu. Splashing colour in every direction, Laddus being thrown on and beats of folk music created a super charged atmosphere.  

Laddu Holi celebrations in Barsana

People trying to get Laddu during the celebrations

  

The Holi of Brij is not a one-day event but a series of unique celebrations that stretch for 40 days known as Faag Mahotsava. Laddu Holi of Barsana is a part of Faag Mahotsava and is organized on the Ashtami Tithi of Phalguna Shukla Paksha. Devotees from faraway places flock this ancient town to witness this extraordinary Holi festivity.  

Dance and Music

Holi celebrations are incomplete without dance and music and how can Laddu Holi miss the most vital part of Holi celebrations. Men and women clad in traditional attire sang beautiful folk songs in Brij Bhasha depicting various Krishna Leelas. They sang Rasiya, a form of folk music in Brij, accompanied with traditional percussion. The whole atmosphere got so charged up that every person present there joined in to groove on the beats of traditional Holi songs like Nandagaon Kau Padau Barsane Aayo Hori Kau Pakwan Bhar-Bhar Jhori Khayau…, Rangili Holi Chalo Shyam Se Barsane Mein Khelege…amongst many others.

The priest and folk singers clad in traditional attire singing Holi songs

Legend behind Laddu Holi

The official priest of Barsana Girdharilal Shrautriya told Drik Panchang that the tradition of playing Laddu Holi finds its significance in one the various Krishna Leelas of Dwapar Yuga. The legend goes like this –

Father of Shree Radha Rani, Vrishbhan once sent a priest to extend his invitation to Nanda Baba inviting Lord Krishna to play Holi at Barsana. After a few days, Nanda Baba sent his priest to deliver the message of his acceptance of the invitation. After hearing that Kanha would come to Barsana to play Holi, everyone, especially Gopis got so excited that they began to smear the priest with Gulal. Being caught completely off guard, the priest threw whatever that was in his hands towards the Gopis. It so happened that at the time of this incident, the priest was having sweets, thus he playfully retaliated by throwing Laddus on Gopis. Since then the tradition of playing Laddu Holi began in Barsana.     

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Holy dip in Yamuna on Mauni Amavasya

The auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya was observed with full devotion in the entire Braj region which includes ancient cities of Mathura and Vrindavan. Devotees took bath in holy River Yamuna and performed charity on the auspicious day. Mauni Amavasya also known as Maghi Amavasya takes its name from ancient times when saints and sages would observe Maun or silence for the entire day on Magha Krishna Paksha Amavasya to attain Siddhi and powers. The observance of Maun is still prevalent in modern times. After the Snan, devotees take a vow of silence and dedicate the entire day in devotion of Lord Krishna and Lord Vishnu.

Devotees started flocking the various Ghats of Yamuna River early in the morning to take the Holy dip before the sunrise. Vishram Ghat, Prayag Ghat, Askunda Ghat, Dauji Ghat of River Yamuna in Mathura and Cheer Ghat and Keshi Ghat in Vrindavan witnessed huge turnout of devotees from across Braj region on Mauni Amavasya.

Vishram Ghat of River Yamuna on Mauni Amavasya, Mathura

As per Padma Purana, Daan, Japa and other religious sacrifices performed in other months don’t please Lord Vishnu as much as Snan in the month of Magha does. Snan in Magha destroys every minor and major sin performed by a person and makes him or her worthy to attain the abode of Lord Vishnu. Thus, a person can attain Moksha by just bathing in Holy Rivers in the month of Magha.

After the Snan, devotees performed charity and visited Dwarikadhish temple, Krishna Janmabhumi temple, Banke Bihari Ji temple, ISKCON temple, Radharamana temple, Radhavallabha temple, Gopinath temple amongst others in Vrindavan and Mathura.

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Khichdi Utsava at Radhavallabha Temple, Vrindavan

Lord Krishna at Radhavallabha Temple appears in various Vesha to mesmerize thousands of devotees every day

Thousands of devotees visit the Temple to catch a glimpse of Thakur Radhavallabha Lal in various Chhadma-Vesha

Lord Krishna adorned as Thakur Baldev Ji at Radhavallabha Temple

In the ancient town of Vrindavan Lord Krishna is worshipped in Baal-Bhava. That is, devotees love and pamper him like a child of their own. Temples in Vrindavan organize various events throughout the year to shower their love to Thakur Ji. Khichdi Utsava of Radhavallabha temple is one of those occasions. During Khichdi Utsava Lord Krishna is pampered with a nutritious Khichdi for 30 days during Shishir Ritu or winter season. The significance behind this tradition is to offer the food of high nutritional value to protect Thakur Ji from harsh winter. During the Utsava, Thakur Radhavallabha Lal appears in various Vesha or appearances like a bookseller, a teacher, Banke Bihari Ji, Lord Shiva, Paan seller in front of his devotees every day.

Thakur Radhavallabha Lal as Lord Shiva during Khichdi Utsava

Khichdi Utsava is organized from Pausha Shukla Paksha Dwitiya till the Pratipada of Magha Shukla Paksha. This year, Khichdi Utsava began on 28 December 2019 and will end on 25 January 2020 as the Sewayata or manager at Radhavallabha Temple Mohit Maral Goswami told Drik Panchang correspondent.  Goswamiji further added that the Khichdi is offered to Thakurji before the Mangala-Aarti every morning. Thakurji is adorned in new Chhadma-Vesha every day before the Khichdi is served.  As per the legends associated with Krishna Leela, Lord Krishna used to adorn himself in various Chhadma-Vesha or guises to meet Radharani. On some occasions, Lord Krishna would become a fruit and vegetable seller and on some, a bangle seller just to get a chance to see his divine lover Shree Radharani.

Devotees waiting for Darshan at Radhavallabha Temple during Khichdi Utsava

Khichdi Utsava is a 300-year-old tradition and was started by Kamal Nayan Maharaj. As per the Goswami Ji at the temple, the Khichdi is made with rice and lentils in Panchameva and Ghee along with various other nutritious and aromatic ingredients in the Temple Kitchen. As per the tradition, only temple Goswamis are allowed in the kitchen which is built in an ancient Indian way with clay. The preparation starts as early as 3 am and Khichdi is served before Mangala Aarti which is conducted at 5:30 am. Furthermore, the Khichdi is made in both variants, that is, spicy and sweet. Thakurji is also served more than 50 delicacies along with Khichdi like Shreekhanda, Rabadi, various recipes of vegetables, pickle, Papadam and fruits.

                               Temple Goswami sharing information about Khichdi Utsava

As part of Khichdi Utsava, the priests at the Temple also sing songs and Chhanda depicting the Krishna Leela. Devotees from across Braj Mandal and nearby regions visit Radhavallabha Temple every day to get a glimpse of their beloved in various Roopa.

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Vasant Panchami in Mathura

In 2013, Vasant Panchami was celebrated on two days i.e. on 14th Feb and 15th Feb. While many schools and colleges chose 14th Feb for Saraswati Puja, most temples in Mathura arranged special Darshan on 15th Feb.

In Mathura, Vasant Panchami marks the arrival of Holi festivity. Most famous temples of Lord Krishna start preparing for Holi festivity from the day of Vasant Panchami.

While new Keshava Dev Mandir at Janmabhoomi arranged special Darshan of Lord Krishna in Vasanti color, the old Keshava Dev Mandir near Janmabhoomi arranged Chhappan Bhog Darshan.

New Keshava Dev Mandir at Janmabhoomi - Special Darshan on Vasant Panchami 

Old Keshava Dev Mandir near Janmabhoomi – Special Chhappan Bhog Darshan on Vasant Panchami 

Vasant Panchami is also spelled as Basant Panchami.

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