Mathura, January 24 –The city drenched into Holi fervour as devotees rushed to temples to offer Gulal to Thakur ji, as 40 day long Holi celebrations began , on Basant Panchami.
Adequate arrangements are made to ensure easy darshans, safety and security of devotees in the temple, as a large number of devotees are expected to visit the city, SSP Mathura Shlok Kumar said.
Basant Panchami is not only a day to worship goddess Saraswati, but it marks the beginning of Radha and Krishna’s favourite Holi celebrations. It is only possible in Brij Bhoomi to play Holi with beloved Thakur ji, Pawan Kaushik Sewayat Danghati temple, Goverdhan said.
Echoing his point, G K Purohit ji, Sewayat at Danghati temple, Goverdhan, said that blossoming nature and the pleasant weather support the festive spirit. The temple decoration and Thakur Ji’s attire reflect the vibrancy of the season. Large number of devotees are offering Panchamrit and applying Gulal on Girraj ji, he added.
A new silver Dehri (threshold) weighing around 10 Kg, was fixed at Sri Bankey Bihari temple Vrindavan, Dinesh Goswami, member Sri Bankey Bihari temple High powered committee said. The temple is witnessing huge rush of devotees since morning who came to play Holi with Thakur Bankey Bihari Lal, he added.
A popular saying in the Brij region, “Jag Hori Brij Hora,” reflects the sentiments of Bijwasi’s. Holi therefore feels different in the region. The devotees share a special bond with Krishna and Radha, Mahesh Pathak, chief Patron, Akhil Bhartiya Tirth Purohit Mahasabha said.
Basant Panchmi also marks the beginning of Holi celebrations at Sri Krishna Janmasthan Mathura. Keshav Dev Temple is decked up in a Basanti look. The temple is decorated in yellow colour, and Thakur Ji is wearing a yellow colour attire, Kapil Sharma, Secretary, Sri Krishna Janamsthan Sewa Sansthan said. Thakur Keshav Dev ji plays holi with devotees with Gulal and flowers and this will be practiced throughout the Hindu month Phalguna, he added.
The Key attractions of the city on Basant Panchmi, Rituraj Bhawan or Basanti Kamra (Room) at Shah Ji temple, Vrindavan, is open to the public today. The temple is also known as Tede Khambe ka Mandir (twisted/ spiral Pillar), as it has 12 such Pillars along with straight Pillars. Each pillar is 15 feet high, Shah Prashant Kumar sewayat Shah ji temple said..
In the rooms walls, which wear a yellow colour, have multicoloured paintings on them and on the ceilings. It also has 15 huge Belgian glass chandeliers. The throne, doors and some of the mirrors are all gold-plated, Shah Prashant Kumar said. The room also has three fountains, he added.
The deity will give darshans from the room in the morning and evening on 23 January and in the evening of 24 January. The room is used again, once in the Hindu calendar month Sharavan, Shah Prashant Kumar, Sewayat Shah ji temple, Vrindavan, said.
Thakur ji Maharaj is dressed in yellow. Nimish, a sweet predominantly from Lucknow and Moong dal halwa, is offered as Prashad to the deity, he said.
