Widows in Vrindavan shun white, drench themselves in Holi colours

Mathura, March  4

Thousands of widows living as recluse in ashrams of Vrindavan on Tuesday celebrated a special four-day Holi festival in Virndavan, breaking taboos forbidding widows from engaging in such activities.

(See video: Widows in Vrindavan fill their lives with Holi colours)

(See photo album)

Ancient norms shunned widows and forbade them from participating in any celebrations, considering their very presence a bad omen. However, a hermitage in Vrindavan, run by a non-profit organisation called Sulabh International, which has for years worked towards the emancipation of widows,

At least 1,000 kg 'gulal' (coloured powder) in different colours is being arranged for the Holi programme being organised by NGO Sulabh International.

"Their participation in Holi symbolises a break from tradition which forbids a widow from wearing coloured saree, among many other things," said Bindeshwar Pathak, mentor of Sulabh Movement.

This special celebration is set to add a new colour to the Holi festivities in 'Braj', popular among both Indian and foreign tourists.

Vrindavan is known as the 'City of Widows' for the sheer number of women who find shelter there after being shunned by their families. Most of them hail from West Bengal.

The Supreme Court has time and again lambasted the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government for the pathetic condition of widows living in Vrindavan. —  PTI/ ANI