Rangbhari Ekadashi on Friday marked the formal commencement of Holi celebrations in the temples of Vrindavan, drawing long queues of devotees to major shrines as the town resonated with traditional ‘rasiya’ hymns.
At the Shri Bankey Bihari Temple, festivities began with Lord Bankey Bihari symbolically playing Holi with devotees. Priests said the ritual commenced with Thakur ji sprinkling saffron, rose water, tesu (flame of the forest) extract and perfume-filled water from a ‘pichkari’ on Radha Rani, followed by a playful exchange of colours.
Gyanendra Kishore Goswami, a sewayat of the temple, traced the tradition to the Dwapar Yuga, saying it is believed that Radha first applied colour on Lord Krishna’s cheeks, marking the origin of Holi celebrations in Braj.
After Ekadashi rituals, gujia and jalebi were offered as prasad. The deity was adorned in white attire and will continue to wear it until Dhulandi, when pink garments will be donned, priests said. Holi celebrations will take place during both morning and evening darshans.
The temple also launched a live darshan telecast service from Friday morning. The streaming began at 7.55 am within the temple premises and from 1 pm on its official social media platforms to enable devotees across India and abroad to participate virtually.
Also read: Mosques covered with tarpaulin ahead of Juta Maar Holi in UP
Historian Prahlad Ballabh Goswami said the tradition of singing ‘Holi Rasiya’ in Braj has a long lineage, with compositions by both Hindu and Muslim poets. Hymns such as “Aaj Biraj mein Holi re Rasiya” echoed through temples and narrow lanes alike.
At the Radha Damodar Temple, over 200 foreign devotees joined the festivities. Priests said the deities played Holi with a silver pichkari while dressed in basanti attire. At the Radha Ballabh Temple, a procession accompanied by drums and nagaras was planned through prominent areas of Vrindavan.
Amid heavy footfall, authorities imposed precautionary measures. Power supply to three local transformers near Cheer Ghat, Kesi Ghat and Jugal Ghat was temporarily suspended as crowds moved close to electricity panels, Sub-Divisional Officer Sandeep said, adding that major temples were unaffected.
District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh said officials were directed to monitor the use of harmful colours. Senior Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar said strict vigil has been ordered, particularly to prevent misconduct towards women, children and senior citizens.
Police, fire, electricity and health personnel have been deployed along the Parikrama Marg, and a QR code system has been introduced to provide information on hospitals, parking and assistance centres.
Follow us
