The War of Color at Braj.
BRAJ KI HOLI IS FAMOUSLY played in Mathura and Vrindavan, in Uttar Pradesh.
I travel there every year to witness the festivities. The celebration begins a week early
and looks quite different in the towns of Barsana and Nandgaon than the rest of the
country. Walking in the footsteps of Lord Krishna, the men of Nandgaon (Krishna’s
village) head to Barsana (Radha’s village) to play Holi; the next day, the men of Barsana
travel to Nandgaon with colours. In both the villages, the local women “beat” the
visiting young men with sticks, just like Radha and the gopis did to little Krishna. But
Lathmaar Holi (Holi of sticks) is more of a festive dance than a confrontation. On the
third day, residents of both the villages get together and head over to Vrindavan to play
Phoolon ki Holi (Holi of flowers).
Rohit Gadher, India, New Delhi
