Revelling in Krishna's Garden - Part IV

Holi, the festival of colours, is celebrated with immense fervour and zeal across India, but one of the most spectacular celebrations takes place at the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. Holi celebrations in a temple you ask? Yes, yes, yes—better than anything you could have experienced in your life! My friends and I decided to go to Vrindavan to experience the celebration of Holi. Google says – this is the best place in the world to celebrate so we had to go see what the hype was all about. About 20 of us packed our bags and flew to Delhi from where we took a 3-hour cab ride to Vrindavan – a place where love is visible! You see, Krishna is not just god here—He is their Son, their Child, their neighbourhood hero! Everyone talks of Him almost like family.So the celebration of Holi (which they say was started between Krishna and Radha) is one you have to come and witness!.History of Holi at Banke Bihari TempleThe Banke Bihari Temple is one of the most renowned and powerful temples dedicated to Lord Krishna, situated in Vrindavan. The temple holds a unique place in the hearts of devotees because this is apparently the place where Lord Krishna appeared to Swami Haridas. When Swami Haridas asked for Krishna to stay, the idol was what HE left behind.The idol was first worshipped in Nidhivan – a place that is associated with the playful and mischievous aspects of Sri Krishna's life, especially His love for Radha and His pranks with the Gopis. According to the mythological tales, Sri Krishna is said to have celebrated Holi in the forests of Nidhivan with his devotees, marking the festival as a time of joy, fun, and divine love.Once the Banke Bihari temple was constructed, the idol was moved there. The tradition of celebrating Holi at the Banke Bihari Temple goes back several centuries..The Atmosphere: Crazy, Yet AmazingAs Holi approaches, Vrindavan transforms into a kaleidoscope of colours, music, and joy. On the day of Holi, Banke Bihari Temple becomes the focal point of the festivities. The temple premises are filled with eager devotees, both locals and tourists, ready to immerse themselves in the celebration.People stand in long snake-like queues just to see Sri Krishna. The crowd is humongous but so is the joy and excitement. As we stood in line chatting away, a huge bucket of coloured water fell on us from one of the houses above!. The celebrations had begun and there was no escape.At first, we all tried to hide and escape the colour being thrown. But as we moved in the queue towards Bhagwan, we learned to surrender to the madness, the chaos and the colours being thrown at us from every direction. By the time we made our way to the temple entrance—barefoot, coloured and hoping for a moment of peace and quiet inside—we were shocked. We could hear the sound of traditional Holi songs, devotional chants, and the loud cheers of participants from inside the temple. We nudged our way in.As we tried to catch a glimpse of little Banke Bihari, two pandits appeared with two large plates of gulal (coloured powder). They chanted Krishna’s name and threw the colour on all of us!Holi inside a temple? I was shocked. As the gulal fell on my nose and hair, I stood in shock. A bucket of water soon landed on all of us! The entire temple courtyard erupted into a riot of colours, with pinks, greens, yellows, and reds covering every surface. The beauty of the celebration lies in its spontaneity and madness. It truly helps let go of the ego of ‘me and my dress“ and embrace the moment..Why It Is AmazingHoli at the Banke Bihari Temple is much more than just a traditional festival. It's a chance to witness the spiritual connection between devotees and Lord Krishna, expressed in the most exuberant and colourful way possible. The joy, the madness, and the vibrant chaos may seem overwhelming at first but there's an undeniable beauty in the way people come together, regardless of background, religion, or nationality, and experience the pure joy of the festival.

Revelling in Krishna's Garden - Part IV

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