Widows in Vrindavan celebrate Holi with vibrant colours. Watch

Widows are smeared with gulal as they celebrate Holi at a temple in Vrindavan on Wednesday. (Image credit: AFP)

Widows in Vrindavan celebrated Holi on Wednesday as a distinctive cultural celebration promoting inclusion and compassion. The city in Uttar Pradesh, which is known to be the place Lord Krishna spent his childhood, has been a shelter for widowed Hindu women for centuries.

Often rejected by society, these widows rely on support from the government, NGOs, and the town's numerous temples and ashrams. This kind of tradition marks a significant change in tradition as widows, who were once expected to renounce worldly pleasures and avoid festivals, now take part in the colorful Holi festivities and spread happiness.

The celebration also attracts visitors and foreign tourists.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | Widows at Vrindavan celebrated festival of colours - Holi, yesterdayIn Vrindavan, a city deeply associated with lord Krishna, 'Widows' Holi' - a distinctive cultural celebration has become a symbol of transformative change and stands as a vibrant pic.twitter.com/DhNKgJsCug
ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2025

Last week, the Uttar Pradesh government had announced that it would attempt to create a Guinness world record by organising Holi with over 2,000 widows in the temple town.  The state's Tourism Department and welfare organisations will jointly host the event in the holy city. According to a statement, officials from Guinness World Records will be present to oversee and facilitate the certification process.

Widows smeared with gulal dance as they celebrate Holi at a temple in Vrindavan on Wednesday. (Image credit: AFP)

"In 2025, the Yogi government, in collaboration with social welfare organisations, is set to attempt a Guinness world record for the largest Holi celebration with over 2,000 widows," it said, adding organic colours would be used in the event that would feature folk songs, traditional dances and devotional music.

Holi is usually celebrated over two days. This year, 'Chhoti Holi' or 'Holika Dahan' will take place on March 13. 'Rangwali Holi', also known as 'Dhulandi', is on March 14.

(With inputs from PTI)