Vrindavan, Varanasi widows celebrate Holi together

 Around a thousand widows living reclusive lives at ashrams in Vrindavan and Varanasi today began special four-day long Holi celebrations in Vrindavan today.

It is probably the first time when widows from Varanasi joined their sisters at the century old "Pagal Baba Widow Ashram" in Vrindavan for celebrating the festival of colours, breaking an age-old Hindu tradition, a realease issued by NGO Sulabh International said.

The widows, who normally wear only white sarees, smeared colours on each other and enjoyed the festival with over 1,000 kg 'gulal' (coloured powder) in several colours and 1500 kgs of rose and marigold petals which has been arranged for the programme.

The Holi revelries began with much fanfare and included music and dance performances. The celebration is a break from years of social stigma which is attached with women who have lost their husbands.