Widows of Vrindavan Celebrate Diwali with Joyous Festivities on the Banks of Yamuna

On Tuesday, thousands of widows and women abandoned by their families gathered at Keshi Ghat on the Yamuna river to celebrate Diwali. They wore white sarees and lit earthen lamps, creating a vibrant atmosphere. The women also crafted a colourful rangoli using flower petals. For many, like 70-year-old Chhavi Dasi from West Bengal, the event evoked memories of celebrating festivals in their youth.

Ratami, aged 69, expressed her surprise at being able to celebrate Diwali again. Similarly, Pushpa Adhikari, 74, and Ashoka Rani, 60, both from West Bengal, were visibly joyful during the festivities. These celebrations were organised by the NGO Sulabh Hope Foundation. The foundation's vice president, Vineeta Verma, highlighted the historical stigma faced by widows in Hindu society.

Widows' Participation in Diwali Festivities

Verma explained that widows were traditionally seen as inauspicious and often ostracised from their families. Many were forced to live in pilgrimage towns like Vrindavan, Varanasi, and Haridwar, relying on begging for survival. To combat this social injustice, Sulabh's founder, the late Bindeshwar Pathak, initiated efforts to include widows in Hindu festivals such as Diwali and Holi about 12 years ago.

Sulabh International has been organising these Diwali celebrations annually since then. This initiative has allowed thousands of widows, primarily from West Bengal residing in Vrindavan, to participate in rituals they were previously excluded from. Verma noted that before Sulabh's intervention, these women had no opportunity to engage in such cultural events.

The celebration at Keshi Ghat was a significant step towards changing societal perceptions and providing these women with a sense of belonging and joy. The event not only brought happiness to the participants but also highlighted the ongoing efforts to address social issues faced by widows in India.