Yamuna Chhath at Vishram Ghat

Yamuna Chhath was celebrated on Vishram Ghat, Mathura on April 16, 2013.

Yamuna Chhath is mainly celebrated in Mathura, the birth place of Lord Krishna. It marks the day when Goddess Yamuna descended on the Earth. Hence this day is also known as Yamuna Jayanti or birth anniversary of Goddess Yamuna. It falls during Chaitra Navratri in the month of March or April.

Chhappan Bhog offered to Goddess Yamuna - 2013

Vishram Ghat is the most pious Ghat at the bank of river Yamuna. Various events are organized to mark the day of Yamuna Chhath.

Image of Goddess Yamuna on the water at Vishram Ghat - 2013

People offer Chunari to Goddess Yamuna during day time, arrange Chhappan Bhog and perform special Aarti in the evening in honour of Goddess Yamuna.

Goddess Yamuna, being wife of Lord Shri Krishna, is revered by people of Braj which explains Yamuna Chhath being celebrated mainly by people of Mathura and Vrindavan.

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Charkula Dance of Brij, Mathura

The famous Charkula dance of village Mukharai was conducted on the late night of 28th March and it was part of Holi Mahotsav. The world famous Charkula dance is conducted every year after two days of Holi.

As per Hindu mythology, Charkula dance was started by the maternal grandmother of Goddess Radha, the consort of Lord Krishna. Radha Rani was the daughter of Maharani Keerti. Maharani Keerti was born in village Mukharai and Mukhara was the name of her mother.

Charkula Dance of Mukharai, Mathura - 2013

When the news of Radha's birth was broken to Mukharai she was so overwhelmed with the joy that she lifted the wheel of the chariot over her head and started dancing. It is believed that this event started the tradition of Charkula dance. Hence this day is also celebrated as the birth anniversary of Goddess Radha.

During Charkula dance, 108 lamps are lit and kept over the pyramid of wheels supported by rounded pots. The dance is done by females who cover their faces in the veil. The weight of the Charkula and the veil makes this ancient dance of Dwapar Yuga challenging to perform.

Thousands of people gather to see this spectacular event every year.

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Dauji Huranga in Baldev

In most of the Brij region, Holi festivity was culminated on 27th March, the next day of Holika Dahan. However in Baldev town the most famous Huranga was organized on 28th March. This event is famously known as Dauji Huranga.  According to Hindu calendar followed in North India, it was the first day of Chaitra month.

Baldev is famous for being the birthplace of Lord Balarama. Lord Balarama was the elder brother of Lord Krishna and the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The sacrosanct Holi is played in the premises of Dauji temple.

Dauji Huranga in Baldev - 2013

While Lathmar Holi of Barsana is played with bamboo sticks and leather shields, Dauji Huranga is played with torn clothes. During Holi Huranga women folks tear clothes of men folks and use them as hunter to beat men folks to resist their attempts of smearing women with colors.

The event is organized ritualistically by the temple authorities.

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Holi Mahotsav at Janmabhoomi

On 23rd March, the auspicious day of Rang Bharani Ekadashi, Holi Mahotsav was organized at Janmabhoomi, Mathura. After Lathmar Holi of Barsana and Nandgaon it was time to enjoy Holi at the birthplace of Lord Krishna.

Holi Mahotsav at Janmabhoomi  - 2013

The Holi Mahotsav is celebrated every year within the premises of Janmabhoomi in front of the newly constructed Keshava Dev Mandir. Opposite to main building of Keshava Dev Mandir, grand stage was set for Holi Mahotsav activities. Thousands of devotees and visitors watched the mesmerizing Holi celebrations. The space between the Kesava Dev Mandir and the stage was packed with scores of devotees. Many of them were sitting on the stairs to watch the celebrations.

Radha Krishna playing flower Holi at Janmabhoomi – 2013

The celebrations began with the Aarti of Lord Krishna and Radha Rani which was performed by Guru Sharananand Ji Maharaj. The Lathmar Holi between Lord Krishna and Radha Rani and Holi with flowers, in which both Krishna and Radha were flooded with tons of flowers, were worth watching events.

Peacock dance and Charakula dance were the main attractions which were performed by various artists on the stage.

Artist performing Charakula dance during Holi Mahotsav – 2013

Special arrangements were done to throw tons of Gulal on devotees. At the end the whole atmosphere was filled with Gulal and fragrance of Kesar. Lathmar Holi was played along with music and devotional songs which recreated the Holi of Barsana within the Janmabhoomi premises of Mathura.

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Gulal and Abeer

Most people prefer Gulal to play Holi as it is less harmful and easily washable as compared to wet colors. Gulal is also used during Holi Puja.

Gulal is used in huge quantities in various temples. It is believed that during Lathmar Holi in Barsana, the temple procured 3 Quintal of Gulal which is equivalent to 300 kilograms. The same quantity of Tesu flowers were also used to color the water by the temple.

The Gulal(s) are made by mixing different colors to Ararot. Ararot is a starch made from Arrowroot and it is very similar to corn starch. As Ararot is easily available in huge quantity it is used to make Gulal during Holi.

Synthetic Gulal is getting prepared for Holi - 2013

The preparation to make Gulal starts four months prior to Holi. The process involves mixing the water and the chemical in the right proportion into the Ararot powder. The mixture is crushed, filtered and spread in the open space to dry. It is the chemical which might cause health issues and due to which herbal Gulal is preferred over synthetic Gulal.

The Gulal has no shine. Abeer is added to the Gulal to make it shiny. Abeer can be made of natural ingredients as well as synthetic materials. The most used synthetic Abeer is made out of Mica. Synthetic Abeer made out of Mica might be harmful to the body. However natural Abeer can also be made out of Tesu tree.

Gulal is always hyphenated with Abeer and mostly heard as Abeer-Gulal in various Holi songs.

In north India, red, yellow, pink and purple Gulal is being sold for Rs. 40 per kilogram. However when it comes to color it is the pink Gulal which is preferred over various other colors.

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Lathmar Holi at Barsana

The world famous Lathmar Holi of Barsana was played on 21st March. It was a spectacular and delightful event at Ladli Ji Mandir of Barsana. The whole temple premises were covered with the clouds of Gulal and the showers of wet colors. This event was watched and participated by thousands of visitors and devotees.

Ladli Ji Mandir covered with Gulal during Lathmar Holi - 2013

It is believed that Lord Krishna used to visit Barsana to play Holi with His beloved Radha and other female cowherds. This tradition is still kept alive by the people of Barsana and Nandgaon. This ancient tradition of playing Holi was organized well in advance with all rituals. One day before, the invitation was sent to the men folks of Nandgaon to visit Barsana to play Holi. The invitation was sent along with dry color which was distributed to all households in the town.

In Nandgaon, the invitation was accepted with full fanfare along with music and folk dance. The RSVP or the acceptance from Nandgaon came to Ladli Ji Mandir on the same day by one messenger known as Panda.

Huriyare* visited Barsana with full enthusiasm and preparation to play Holi. Huriyare came along with leather shields to protect themselves from Huriyarine. Huriyarine protested all attempts to smear them with Gulal and colors with the help of bamboo sticks. In defense, Huriyare used leather shields to take impact of bamboo sticks.

Huriyare protecting themselves during Lathmar Holi of Barsana - 2013

As Holi in Barsana is played with bamboo sticks it is known as Lathmar Holi. It is believed that in the ancient time this was made a tradition to hone defense skills of female folks of Barsana.

*Huriyare and Huriyarine are the words which are widespreadly used in Mathura and Vrindavan during Holi to denote men and women folks respectively. Huriyare (हुरियारे) are the men folks who are in full enthusiasm to play Holi and Huriyarine (हुरियारीने) are the women folks who are also in full enthusiasm to protest any attempts by Huriyare to smear them with colors.

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Laddu Holi of Barsana

Laddu Holi of Barsana was celebrated on 20th March. During the famous Laddu Holi, Laddu(s) are thrown on devotees. Laddu Holi is celebrated at Ladli temple of Barsana. Ladli temple is also known as Sriji Mandir which is dedicated to Lord Krishna and His beloved consort Radha.

Devotees and visitors gather in huge number to watch this spectacular event. Laddu(s) are captured by devotees as those are considered the holy Prasad of God. Laddu(s) are thrown from the roof top of the temple and collected by devotees waiting eagerly at the ground floor.

Devotees playing Holi during Laddu Holi in Barsana - 2013

Laddu Holi is played with dry colors using only Gulal and Abeer. The whole temple premises are covered with clouds of dry colors and fragrance of Kesar. The Holi with wet colors is played on the next day. With Laddu Holi the whole atmosphere is warmed up for the Lathmar Holi which is scheduled on the next day of Laddu Holi.

On Laddu Holi day, the invitation to play Holi is sent to Nandgaon, the town of Lord Krishna. The invitation is sent by the people of Barsana, the town of Goddess Radha. The invitation to visit Barsana to play Holi with the female cowherds is accepted by the people of Nandgaon.

Laddu and Gulal were thrown on devotees in Ladli Ji Mandir, Barsana - 2013

To confirm the acceptance of the invitation one Panda (पण्डा) or messenger visits from Nandgaon to Ladli Ji Mandir. It is believed that Laddu(s) were offered to welcome the messenger. The messenger was so overwhelmed by the hospitality that he started throwing them. Since then the tradition of Laddu Holi has begun and it is played each year.

The dance of Panda in devotion of Lord Krishna is also popular during Laddu Holi of Barsana.

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