Vrindavan Widows Usher In Holi With Flowers, Colours & Songs

Up to just a few years ago this joyful festival was forbidden for these widows abandoned by their families.

Widows, who were once forbidden to participate, rest covered in colored powder during Holi festival at the Gopinath temple in Vrindavan. (Photo Courtesy: AP)

The widows of Vrindavan celebrated Holi in style this year. The festival of colour that celebrates the onset of Basant Ritu or the Spring season of the east was a festive occasion for these otherwise troubled souls. Up to just a few years ago this joyful celebration was forbidden for these women abandoned by their families and living in Vrindavan (in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh). They would have been expected to live out their days in quiet worship, dressed only in white, with their very presence being considered inauspicious for all religious festivities. Thankfully, not anymore, though.

A widow at Vrindavan smeared with colors during Holi celebrations, the arrival of spring festival at the Gopinath temple in Vrindavan on Thursday. (Photo Courtesy: AP)

A widow in Vrindavan (Mathura, Uttar Pradesh) smeared with colours covers her face during Holi celebrations, the arrival of spring festival at the Gopinath temple in Vrindavan on Thursday. (Photo Courtesy: AP)

A widow in Vrindavan walks past the painting of Lord Krishna and his concert Radha during Holi, the arrival of spring festival at the Gopinath temple in Vrindavan. (Photo Courtesy: AP)

Widows, who were once forbidden to participate, rest covered in colored powder during Holi festival at the Gopinath temple in Vrindavan. (Photo Courtesy: AP)

Locals mixed with Hindu widows, who were once forbidden to participate, throw flower petals and colored powder during Holi in Vrindavan. (Photo Courtesy: AP)

Video Editor: Sandeep Suman