Rain spoils Holi gathering in the land of Lord Krishna

Incessant rains, which have been lashing Mathura since Saturday night, played spoilsport in the internationally famous Holi celebrations at Braj (the land of Lord Krishna) depriving thousands of tourists an opportunity to witness the ‘latthamar Holi’, a traditional way of celebrating the festival of colors in which the women rain lathis, with affection off course, on the menfolk.

According to reports, celebrations had to be either postponed or cancelled at many places owing to the rains.

Reports said that the lathamar Holi programme at the Krishna Janambhoomi was also affected by the rains. Though the indoor celebrations continued without any hindrance, the functions scheduled to be held in the open bore the brunt of the rainy Sunday.

Swami Brindavan Acharya, the mahant of a famous temple at Vrindavan said that the Holi celebrations in the entire Brajbhoomi start around a week ahead of the festival and ends after a week after it.

“The groups of horiyarins (women Holi revelers) arrive in Mathura and Vrindavan to take part in the celebrations well in advance,”  he told Deccan Herald from Vrindavan.

Holi was celebrated at Nandgaon, the village where Lord Krishna was believed to have spent his childhood, on Saturday in a traditional way. Similarly the festival of color was celebrated at Barsana and other places also, reports said.

Acharaya said that the Holi has a historical importance for the people of the region.
According to the hindu mythology, Krishna used to play Holi with the Gopis (his women devotees).
Thousands of devotees and tourists from across the world flock Mathura and Vrindavan to witness the Holi celebrations.

“Rains did dampen the spirit to some extent but we hope that we will be able to celebrate the festival in a traditional way from Monday,” Acharya said.

The weather office has predicted rains on Monday as well. Other parts of north India also saw rain on Sunday. Delhi saw some rainfall throughout the day while also Rajasthan reported heavy rain.
DH News Service