The names of Krishna and his lover Radha are on the lips of everyone that lives in the town of Vrindavan on the banks of the Yamuna. But this area, which was the backdrop of one of the greatest love stories of the Mahabharata, has a much darker story to tell today.
Over the past few decades, thousands of widows have been making this town their home, giving it the title of ‘the city of widows’. With no one else to lean on in their own towns, some of these women set out on a pilgrimage and travel hundreds of miles to get to Vrindavan.
While some go there to devote their lives to Krishna and Radha, most often, these women are looking to escape realities in which they are considered inauspicious.
The segregation of widows as per some cultures is so extreme that they are often prevented from attending family gatherings including weddings. According to Census data, India is believed to have tens of millions of widows and many of them moved to the town to attain solace. You will find them sitting cross-legged within the temple premises, dressed in plain white and often begging.
However, this Holi, the monotony of their lives was traded in for the hues of coloured powder. Breaking tradition, thousands of widows celebrated the vibrant festival at the ancient Gopinath temple on 21 March, Monday. They were joined by widows from Varanasi as well. Conch shells blew, flower petals rained and they danced with the bright colours of Holi.
1,200 kgs of ‘gulal’ and different coloured powders, along with 1,500 kgs of rose and marigold petals, were arranged for the event. A number of Sanskrit students and scholars joined the celebrations.
Bindeshwar Pathak, a well-known social reformer and founder of Sulabh International who has been campaigning against the ostracisation of widows in the country, also joined in the celebrations.
“In an effort to bring them into the mainstream of society, Sulabh started organising Holi for them about three years ago at the widows’ ashram. But this time it is special as Holi was organised at a famous temple to give a kind of social acceptance,” Pathak told IANS.
You can view the pictures of their celebrations below:
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