Holi| Colour Festival of Vrindavan

Holi | Colour Festival of Vrindavan

Celebrations:

The festival marks its arrival from Maagh Poornima.Holi Dando Utsav is performed from the day of 'Phulera Duj'. From this day Lord Radhavallabh resides on aasan surrouded with colorful flowers, abstract embroiderd backgraphs and temple is decorated with painted triangla trails. 'Yugal Darshan' on the day of Holi are the most important darshan for every disciple. Sriji is dressed partially as Krishna and partially as Radha which depicts the actual image of God residing in Vrindavan. During the shringaar white color dress is adorn to 'Sriji' along with small bag of color is tied to the waist of Sriji and smeared to the cheeks of the lord as well. Lots of dry colour is played between the goswamis and devotees. After Ekadashi Pichkari or water guns heavy in weight and large in length upto twenty four inches are used to smear colored water on devotees. The whole atmosphere is covered in clouds of colors and temple walls with colored patches with devotees drenched in devotional colours chanting "Radhe Radhe". On the last day known as 'Dulhandi' Lord resides in swing of 'Morchali leaves' dressed in red attire during the day it's one of the most beautiful darshan can only be witnessed once in the year.

Decorations and bhog:
Holi is celebrated with colors from the day of Ekadshi and at night hours of the temple the marriage of Sriji is performed on the fifteen day of procession, Samaj recites special couplets dedicated to Holi .Puas and mangoes are added to the menu as a special bhog to Sriji. Various variety of delicacies are offered to 'Sriji' like balushahi, sev, matri, imarti, ghevar and sakal pare. These darshans take place twice a year on the last day of Khichadi Utsav, as well as on the thirteenth day of Phagun.The much known couplet recited is'Patra Prasoon Beech Pratibimbh Bhayee Nakhsikh Priya Hi Janave' meaning that every particle of Vrindavan depicts these Darshans.