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Laddoo
Holi in Barsana marks beginning of Holi
by Brajesh
Kumar Singh
Barsana
(Uttar Pradesh): The festival of colours, Holi,
got off to a sweety start in Barsana in Uttar Pradesh
on March 14. Barsana is about 50 km from Mathura and
it has the distinction of having the only temple dedicated
to Lord Krishna's consort Radha. Laddoo Holi is celebrated
because it is believed Lord Krishna came here from
his native place (Nandgoan). Laddoos are distributed
to mark coming of Lord Krishna to his in-laws' home.
Legend has it that on this day Lord Krishna came to
Barsana and playfully teased Radha and her friends
but was chased away by the girls. The focus of the
celebrations in Barsana is Lord Krishna. The 'Laddoo
Holi' is celebrated a day-before the town celebrates
"Lathmar" or Holi with staves during which women chase
away men with sticks. The residents, dressed in their
colourful best and smeared in coloured powder danced
and flung laddoos, a traditional round shaped Indian
sweetmeat and other candies at one another. They also
tried to pocket the goodies, which they consider as
blessed offerings during the festival known as 'laddoo
holi'. In Vrindavan and Mathura, where Lord Krishna
grew up, the festival is celebrated for 16 days until
Rangpanchmi in commemoration of the divine love of
Radha for Lord Krishna or 'Dhulandi', when people
go around throwing coloured powder and spray water.
Devotees from across the country celebrate the festival
with much fun and gaiety and spraying of colours symbolising
the start of spring. "We are filled with happiness.
Playing with so many different colours has its own
importance but this is the first time we are playing
the 'Laddoo Holi' and it is one of the sweetest experiences
of my life. It is believed here that when Lord Krishna
is invited by the people of Nandgoan they offer him
laddoos," said Rajen Gupta from Patiala. "We enjoyed
it very much. Usually we celebrate Holi for a day
but here it is celebrated for an entire week. It is
a lot of fun," said Taruna, from Karnal (Haryana).
Celebrated in the month of Fagun (February-March)
according to the Hindu calendar, Holi, which signifies
the triup of good over evil, is also associated with
the uninhibited expression of love and affection.
Though Holi is celebrated on one particular day across
the country, for people of Mathura, which is also
the place where Lord Krishna spent his childhood days,
it's a long time affair. The festival is celebrated
a week later in other parts of the country.
-Mar 15,
2008
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