Mathura: Forms of Radha-Krishna playing Holi of flowers at the birthplace
– Photo: Amar Ujala
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There will be joy of Holi for 40 days in Braj including the temples of Vrindavan. On Basant Panchami i.e. 14th February, Thakurji will play Holi with devotees in other temples including Banke Bihari Temple and Radhavallabh Temple. While Sevayat Goswami will serve Gulal to Aaradhya, he will also apply Gulal on his cheeks. After Aarti, gulal will be showered on the devotees. Holi verses will be sung in Radhavallabh temple. Its preparations have started.
Holi is celebrated for two days in the country and the world. Holika Dahan is celebrated on one day and Holi is celebrated on the next day, but in Braj, Holi will start from Basant Panchami, 14th February, which will last for about 40 days till 26th March, till Padwa Tithi, the second day of full moon. Ashok Goswami, the servant of Banke Bihari temple, told that Holi will start from Basant Panchami in Banke Bihari temple. On this day, Sevayat Goswami will apply gulal on the cheeks and chin of the adorable Banke Bihari.
After serving Gulal to Thakurji, Prasadi Gulal, served in silver plates, will be showered on the devotees after Shringaar Aarti, Rajbhog Aarti in the morning and Shayan Aarti in the evening. Temple co-manager Umesh Saraswat said that Holi will start from Basant Panchami in Banke Bihari temple.
Whereas in Thakur Radhavallabh temple, the temple will be decorated with Basanti colored flowers and clothes on Basant Panchami. Temple servant Mohit Maral Goswami Maharaj told that Thakurji will also be made to wear spring colored attire. After Shringaar Aarti in the morning and Sandhya Aarti in the evening, Gulal will be showered on the devotees.