Happy Holi 2018: How the widows of Vrindavan are celebrating the festival of colours

To be celebrated on March 1, Holi is a symbol of the triumph of good over evil. It marks the onset of spring and is also celebrated to give thanks for a good harvest. The festival revolves around smearing colour on each others’ faces, splashing people with water by throwing water balloons at them and heartily indulging in sweet delicacies that are made specially for this day. Vrindavan, the land of Krishna’s ‘raas-leela’ with the gopis, is where Holi celebrations start at least a week before the actual festival. Breaking the shackles of tradition, widows started playing Holi with gulal and flowers last year and the tradition continues this year as well. Here are some pictures of Holi celebrations from Vrindavan:

Widows take part in the Holi celebrations in Vrindavan. (Source: Express Photo by Gajendra Yadav)

A widow smiling and enjoying the occasion of Holi at the historic Gopinath temple in Vrindavan. (Source: Express Photo by Gajendra Yadav)

A widow smeared with colours at the Gopinath temple in Vrindavan. (Source: Express Photo by Gajendra Yadav)

Widows dancing and playing with colours at Gopinath temple in Vrindavan. (Source: Express Photo by Gajendra Yadav)

Widows throwing flowers and playing Holi at Gopinath temple in Vrindavan. (Source: Express Photo by Gajendra Yadav)

Widows throwing colours at each other during Holi celebrations in Vrindavan. (Source: Express Photo by Gajendra Yadav)

Vrindavan filled with colours during Holi celebrations. (Source: Express Photo by Gajendra Yadav)

A widow, smeared with colours, sitting quietly at Gopinath Temple in Vrindavan. (Source: Express Photo by Gajendra Yadav)

Widows sitting together after having played Holi at Vrindavan. (Source: Express Photo by Gajendra Yadav)

Widows at Vrindavan on the joyous occasion of Holi. (Source: Express Photo by Gajendra Yadav)