We celebrate two completely different kinds of Holi in Barsana, Nandgaon and Baldeo (towns near Mathura). And recreate Krishna’s and Balarama’s unique leelas and bhaavs during these two Holis.
Krishna’s Lath Maar Holi
One day, Krishna and His gopas go from Nandgaon to Barsana (Radha’s home town) because they yearn to play Holi with Radha and her sakhis.
The minute Krishna sees Radha and her sakhis, He starts teasing them. Radha and her sakhis feel exasperated when Krishna makes playful advances on them all. And are highly offended when Krishna’s sakhas start emulating Him. So, Radha and her sakhis charge at Krishna and the gopas with lathis and chase them all out of Barsana.
But Krishna is Krishna. The next day He catches Radha and her sakhis unawares by suddenly spraying a burst of Kesar Chandan on them all. Before Radha and the gopis can react, Krishna and the gopas sprinkle Abhil and Gulal on them and douse them with coloured water from their pichkaris.
Radha and the gopis burst out laughing with a mixture of annoyance and glee. But they refuse to be outdone this time. Radha invites Krishna to a Holi competition. And Krishna accepts with His mischievous smile.
Radha rounds up her sakhis. And marches to the village chowk where they can compete properly in the open space. Krishna and the gopas line up on one side and Radha and her sakhis on the other. The gopis take the first turn. They ignore Krishna’s provocative remarks and try to catch hold of a gopa or at least one of his possessions.
When a gopi fails in her mission, Krishna provokes them with his mischievous comments. But when a gopi manages to get hold of a gopa, there is loud cheering on Radha’s side. Radha and her sakhis pounce on the hapless gopa, dress him up like a gopi and make him dance to their tunes.
Soon, it is Radha’s turn. Radha does her best to snatch Krishna’s flute. But Krishna tucks it firmly in his waistband and dodges Radha. Again. As usual. Radha, Krishna, the gopis and gopas are so delighted by their game, that they forget all their wrath and become friends again.
Even today, we recreate this Lath Maar Holi leela in the Radha Rani temple of Barsana for 4 days every year. On the first day, the people of Nandgaon and Barsana sing bhajans and perform a few rituals. The villagers then sing folk songs and women dance in gay abandon to the music. They distribute sweets and bhaang to celebrate this festive occasion.
The men then smear colours on the women of Barsana and tease them endlessly. Initially, the women pretend to ignore them. So, men start singing provocative songs to attract their attention. The women get extremely annoyed and chase them out of the premises with their lathis.
On the second day, gopas from Nandgaon wear turbans and carry shields to protect themselves from the gopis’ Lath Maar. They then sneak into the temple premises quietly. But the women are waiting to catch them this time. The minute they see them they rain mock blows on them with their lathis and drive them out.
Everyone chants Radha’s and Krishna’s names while they recreate Krishna’s Lath Maar Holi leela. The Barsana women revive the spirit of Radha and the gopis completely. They are alert even while playing Holi. When some woman manages to catch hold of a man, they all strip him of his clothes, dress him up like a gopi and make him dance in public.
On the third day, the gopas of Barsana take sweet revenge by going to Nandgoan. They celebrate Holi with the gopis of Nandgaon. And Krishna’s Lath Maar Holi leela is recreated in Nandgaon this time.
On the fourth day, the women from Nandgaon and Barsana decide to play Holi amongst themselves. But the men have their way with them. As usual. They sneak into the festivities and douse the women completely by emptying pails full of water on them. And annoy them all. As usual.
Dauji Ka Huranga
We celebrate Dauji ka Huranga in a town near Mathura called Baldeo (home town of Balarama). After indulging in the Lath Maar Holi festivities in Nandgaon and Barsana, Krishna notices that Balarama was not his usual self. Krishna says, “O Dauji, we have had such fun in the past few days. Why then are you sulking like this?” Balarama points an accusing finger at Krishna and says, “You Krishna, take the centre stage in all festivals. Not a single festival is dedicated to me.”
So, Krishna pacifies Balarama’s wrath by going to Baldeo. He asks Radha, her sakhis and His sakhas to invite Dauji to participate in a Holi competition with all of them. Dauji is delighted. He quickly forgets his anger and participates in the fun. Balarama’s Holi takes a slightly different turn though. So, we call this Holi as Dauji ka Huranga. The women don’t use lathis. But retain the essence of Lath Maar Holi too.
The women wear full skirts, cover their faces with veils and call themselves Huriyayins. Krishna, Dauji and the gopas call themselves Horiyaras. They call their competition “Dauji ka Huranga” and decide on the rules of the game. The Huriyayins will do their best to bring Dauji’s and Revati Maiyya’s flags (placed in the centre of the temple courtyard) to their side. While the Horiyas will prevent them from doing so.
This time the Huriyarins arm themselves with pails full of coloured water. But the Horiyaras, distract them by making playful advances on them. As usual. The highly offended Huriyarins try to stave off their advances. And when they manage to catch hold of a Horiyara, they don’t spare him. They strip the Horiyara of his upper garments, make a whip out of it and beat him with it. Of course, taking care not to hurt him too much.
Yes, there is laughter and loud cheering. But the Huriyarins keep track of their mission too. They do their best to get to Revati Maiyya’s and Dauji’s flags. And the Horiyaras prevent them from getting to it. When the Huriyarins fail to get to the flag, the Horiyaras sing provocative songs to highlight their failure. But the Huryayins manage to trounce the Horiyaras and get at Dauji’s and Revati Maiyya’s flag.
Even today, the people of Baldeo first officially invite Dauji to play the Huranga with them. They seat Krishna and Balarama on a stage. And begin the Huranga with a session of Samaj Gayan. Then they dance to the tunes of Holi Rasiyas while playing the Mridang, Jhaanjh and Manjeeras.
The next day the Horiyaras and Huriyarins engage in the Huranga. And delight the packed audience completely. The onlookers sprinkle colours on the participants from the temple galleries. Creating clouds of Abhir and Gulal all around the temple.
Through the leelas of Lath Maar Holi and Huranga Krishna and Balarama say, “O Manavas, pay attention to your bhaavs too. For we speak to you through your emotions. Shed your cultural inhibitions. Yes, you may be married. But learn to look beyond gender too. For a brief span of time at least, forget your roles as husbands and wives. And look upon all women and men as friends. Revel in and nurture only Sakha bhaav when you participate in or witness our Lath Maar Holi and Huranga leelas.” And that’s a message worth reflecting upon, isn’t it?
Please click here to read about other rituals for Krishna.