Brij Bhumi Holi festivities to start tomorrow

Mathura, Jan 23: As icy winds and fog in North India forced people to stay indoors, residents of this town are shedding all fear of cold to be drenched in the 50-day Brij Bhumi Holi, starting tomorrow, the day when Vasant Panchami falls.

As against other parts of the country, where the festival is of two days, Brij Bhumi Holi is played continuously for 50 days and starts from Vasant Panchami, commemorating the event of playing of holi between Radha Jee and Lord Krishna.

The district administration has put security arrangements in place ahead of the occasion here as the festivities of the colour will start in different temples of Brijbhumi tomorrow.

"Security has been beefed up for Vasant Panchami festival when holi is starting in most of the temples," District Magistrate Rajesh Kumar said. While in most of the temples of Brij, gulal is first placed on the lotus feet of Lord Krishna and then spread in the air on devotees.

"Tomorrow while principal deity of Krishna Janmasthan would be adorned with yellow dress, gulal (rose powder) would be tossed on the devotees at the time of sringar darshan of Keshav Deo temple," Kapil Sharma, the secretary of Sri Krishna Janmasthan said. The Brij Bhumi Holi will be starting in all the ancient temples, including Dwarkadhish temple, Daan Ghati temple and Bankey Behari temple, tomorrow, he said.

PTI