Mathura: Clad in white sarees and giving a toss to the orthodox traditions that forbid them from collaborating within the pageant of colors, widows in Vrindavan celebrated Holi on the historic Gopinath temple right here on Monday. “Widows of Chaitanya Vihar Ashram, Sharda Ashram and various shelter homes in Vrindavan participated in the Holi of flowers and Gulal,” mentioned social reformer and founding father of Sulabh International, Bindeshwar Pathak. Owing to inclement climate, this yr rose and different flower petals with natural Gulal have been used throughout Holi celebrations within the land of Radha Rani, he mentioned.
According to an age-old apply, which was prevalent in West Bengal, widows weren’t solely thought of just about untouchable however have been disadvantaged of collaborating in any pageant, mentioned Pathak, who supervised the uncommon feat in Vrindavan.
Such programmes are organised to carry these widows into the mainstream of society and efforts are made to make them self-reliant by coaching them to arrange natural Gulal, ‘agarbattis’ (incense sticks), candles and apparel of Thakur Ji, officers of the organisation mentioned.
Eighty-year-old widow Monu Gosh was elated to rejoice Holi on the temple. Chabi Dasi (65) and Ratania Maa have been so thrilled and smeared Gulal on one another and tossed rose petals on fellow widows. International vacationers have been amongst a whole bunch of people that witnessed this distinctive celebration on the historic temple.
It was our seventh try to exchange gloom with pleasure within the lifetime of widows, the officers mentioned, including that the organisation is planning to organise extra such occasions.
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