Mathura, 02 March

(HS): On Monday, widows in Vrindavan celebrated Holi at the ancient Gopinath

temple, dressed in white sarees and abandoning orthodox norms that forbade them

from partaking in the festival of colors. More than 200 widows from five

ashrams shouted Bansi waale ki jai, danced to the melodies of

'Rasiya' sung in the temple, and splashed over 1,000 kg of flowers and 700 kg

of 'gulaal' on each other during the celebrations, according to Executive

convenor Sulabh International Nitya Pathak. Pathak said the entire temple area

was bathed with devotion, with ladies excited to play Holi. Pathak stated that

the number of participating widows has gradually increased over the years, as

they have embraced change and begun to participate in these activities.

Widows were historically considered unlucky in

Indian culture and were forbidden from celebrating or participating in any

festivals or social gatherings, she explained, adding that many came to

Vrindavan after being thrown out of their homes and forced to live in poverty. She

stated that in 2012, in response to the plight of widows in Vrindavan, the

Supreme Court directed Sulabh International (an NGO) to look after them.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi