Siddharth Jain

Celebrating Roots: Holi in Braj

For once in a year the people of an area called “Braj”, in Uttar Pradesh,India come in an exotic and a total unique manner to celebrate what is termed as Holi the festival of colors. But unlike the rest of India what makes this so special is the fact people believe the festival started itself way back in this place itself, the land of Lord Krishna and Radha in Hindu mythology. Braj is made up of Mathura(Krishna’s birthplace), Vrindavan, (where he grew up)Nandgaon( his natal village), and Barsana (Radha’s village)– Holi .It is  roots of Holi . What one finds besides the gamut of colors are women of community adorning themselves as Radha thereby reenacting scenes from the past on the streets trying to beat men with their long bamboo sticks. Specifically this is called the Lathmar Holi and is the highlight of the week long festival. The images taken in this series show scenes from Lathmar holi and other festivities that took place in Barsana and Nandgaon.

Holi is one of the most important festival of Braj, where the men of Nandgaon and women of Barsana play 'latthmar Holi' in the remembrance of the playful throw of colors by Krishna on 'Gopis' and their resistance. The trace of eroticism and romance pervades Holi as depicted in the love plays of Krishna and Radha. In Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul and Barsana, Holi is a two-week long festival featuring play of colors, folk songs called 'Hori', folk dances such as Raas-Lila, staging the various aspects of Radha and Krishna's love."

What this is about: Holi, festivals of colour celebrated once a year
Where: Uttar Pradesh, India

When: (please provide dates) It happens  in first quarter of year..no specific dates...but  usually a round Feb end or March...

How to get there: (from major hubs in India; by air, road or rail; number of hours needed etc)....one can take a bus ride or taxi from  New Delhi...usually takes around 3 hours-4 hours ....no air or rail to villages.....