We celebrate Vasant Panchami on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha of Margashirsha. 40 days after Vasant Panchami, we usher in the season of spring. And celebrate Holi and Dhuli Vandan on the 41st day.
We believe that after Shiva burns Kama to ashes, Kama is reborn as Pradyumna on Vasant Panchami. And we call Vasant Panchami as Madan Panchami or Shri Panchami because Kama arouses the passions of all the earthly creatures. And everything starts blooming on Vasant Panchami.
Vasant Panchami in Pushti Marg
On Vasant Panchami, we, Pushti Margiya Vaishnavs first sanctify a Kalash. We dispel the negative energies around this Kalash by performing a simple ritual called “Adhivasan”.
We then fill the Kalash with water and decorate it with stalks of dates, mango leaves, tender mango flowers (Mor), Saraswa flowers, wheat grass and berries. Then we place this Vasant Kalash in front of our Nidhi swaroops. And, worship Kama Deva symbolically before the Rajbhog darshan. Our Vasant Kalash symbolizes all the love-filled aspects of Kama Deva.
We then offer our Nidhi swaroops the Utsav Bhog which comprises cup-shaped sweets, dry and fresh fruits and some paan. And decorate our mandir with different kinds of flowers.
After Vasant Panchami, we celebrate Krishna’s Khel leela for 40 days.
Krishna’s Khel Leela
On all 40 Khel Leela days, we offer floral chadis and garlands to our Nidhi swaroops. We tie tender mango shoots and flowers on the Simhasan and drape a white pichwai behind it. Krishna experiences Shram while indulging in the Khel Leela. So, when we offer the Utsav bhog we blow the conch.
The Khel Leela symbolises the romance between Krishna and the gopis. We depict Krishna’s Kishore bhaav symbolically by adorning him with different kinds of Paghs during the 40 Khel Leela days.
Also, the Jhariji that we offer our Nidhi swaroops every day symbolizes Yamunaji’s Bhakti. And the Khel Bhog thali depicts Yashoda’s, motherly love. So, for 40 days, we cover our Jharijis and the Khel Bhog thalis with white cloths.
We also cover the divine feet of our Nidhi swaroops with a white cloth. Because during Krishna’s Khel Leela, we focus on nurturing “Sakha Bhaav.” And if we do the darshan of Krishna’s feet, we will end up nurturing “Daas Bhaav.”
Lalithaji, Chandravaliji, Yamunaji and Radhaji participate in Krishna’s Khel leela. With different Bhaavs, of course.
That is why for the first 10 days Krishna indulges in Vasant Khel leela which nurtures Satvik bhaav. During the next 10 days, Krishna indulges in Dhammar Khel and revels in Rajasic bhaav. For the next 10 days, Krishna indulges in Faag Khel which symbolizes Tamasic bhaav. And for the last 10 days, Krishna indulges in His Holi Khel Leela which represents His Nirguna bhaav. And we sprinkle Gulal, Abhil, Chova and Chandan or Kesar on our Nidhi swaroops with the different bhaavs that each sakhi symbolizes.
Vasant Khel Leela
For the first 10 days of Vasant Khel Leela, Krishna revels in the natural beauty of spring when the flowers have just started blooming. So, Krishna indulges only in a light play of colours with the gopis. The essence of Vasant Khel leela is one of Shanti.
So we sprinkle only small pinches of Chandan and Gulal on the Simhasan and white Pichwai. And a little Abhil Gulal all over the temple to mark the start of the Vasant Khel leela.
We believe that Shiva destroyed Kama’s Adhyatmik Kaam (spiritual love). But Krishna, the lord of Kama Deva accepts Kama Deva’s Adhidaivik Kaam (supernatural love). So Krishna indulges in all the different bhaavs that Kama Deva infuses in His heart along with His gopis. Krishna acknowledges the value of all these different bhavas because they infuse Rasa in our lives and bring us closer to Him.
Krishna’s Dhammar Khel Leela
In Krishna’s Dhammar Khel Leela, Krishna goes to different houses with a group of gopas. Krishna smiles knowingly when He sees the gopis. They are so busy with their household chores.
Krishna and the gopas pay no heed to the urgency of their chores. They disengage them from their work and force them to join in a game of colours with them. The initial hesitation and anger soon dissipate. And all the gopis thoroughly enjoy playing Holi with Krishna and the gopas.
Krishna’s Faag Khel Leela
In Krishna’s Faag Khel Leela, Krishna forms a big group with the gwalas. And together they dance and sing along the streets of Vraj. They sprinkle colours and spray coloured water with their pichkaris on all the pedestrians. Yes, they do incur the wrath and disdain of the pedestrians who are offended when Krishna ruins their expensive garments. But when they see the twinkle in Krishna’s mischievous smile, they forgive Him instantly too.
Krishna’s Holi Khel leela
The last 10 Khel days are the most auspicious ones because we nurture Radhaji’s bhaav of Nirguna bhakti.
During Krishna’s Holi Khel, the gopas and gopis form two separate groups. They play Holi in a chowk outside their village. A gopa tries to snatch something from any gopi that he can lay his hand on. A piece of jewellery, her odni, the flowers in her hair…. And the furious gopi tries to retrieve her belonging.
In the next round of the game, the gopis do their best to snatch Krishna’s flute. For they know He is the creator of all His wondrous leelas. But Krishna smartly tucks His flute between His feet and prevents them from doing so. That is why during the last 10 Holi Khel Leela days, we place Krishna’s flute between our Nidhi swaroops divine feet.
The gopis lose the game when Krishna is around. As usual. But they don’t give up either. They manage to ambush Krishna. They ferry him away to a remote area. Dress him up like a girl and lovingly call him their Sakhi. They then make Krishna dance like a gopi. Play “fagwa” with Him. And only then allow Him to go. Krishna and the gopis have great fun and experience Ananda during the Rasa-filled Holi Khel leela.
Even today, on these last 10 Holi Khel days, boys and girls gather together in all the village streets. Sing Ghammar songs and Holi Rasiyas. And indulge in a fun-filled play of colours.
On the Ekadashi, Dwadashi and Trayodashi that occur during Holi Khel Leela, we create a Bageecha in our shrines for our Nidhi swaroops especially to nurture the bhaav of Krishna’s Nirguna leela.
Dol Utsav
On the 40th day, Krishna feels tired after engaging in His wonderful Khel leela. So, He retires early to bed. His loved ones are disappointed because they don’t get a chance to play with Krishna.
So, on the 41st day, Yashoda hosts a “Dol Utsav.” She invites all the gopas, and gopis for this Utsav. And on Dol Utsav, everyone including Yashoda plays Holi with Krishna to their heart’s content.
Some beautiful nuances to reflect upon
Rituals may vary slightly in each temple. But the essence remains intact. Krishna’s Khel leela begins with a Sukshma bhaav and gradually the intensity of the bhaav rises to a crescendo. And through these beautiful leelas, Krishna says, “Life is not only about the intellect, intelligent living, responsibilities and challenges. Life is meant to be celebrated too. Consciously create time for fun, frolic and laughter too. And make it a point to experience the richness of each emotion that flits through your heart. For you can forge a deep bond of Bhakti with me through the various aspects of your love too.”
First picture given by Supraja. All other pictures given by Hardevji.
Please click here to read about other rituals for Krishna.