Agra / Mathura / Vrindavan: Defying age-old tradition, a large number of widows once again celebrated the festival of colours -- Holi -- at the historic Gopinath Temple in Vrindavan.

After a break of a couple of years due to the outbreak of Covid-19, widows this time gathered at Vrindavan’s famous Temple to celebrate Holi. Until recently this was unthinkable in Indian society. To break the age-old tradition well known social reformer and founder of Sulabh International, Dr Bindeshwar Pathak has initiated efforts to mobilise widows of Vrindavan to celebrate Holi.

Vrindavan's Holi celebrations in recent years have become memorable occasions for the thousands of widows who in recent past used to face humiliation.

But, their life changed for the better when the Supreme Court intervened and asked NGO Sulabh International to take care of the widows.

Since early morning large numbers of widows living in various Shelter homes started gathering at the Gopinath Mandir and prepared petals of various flowers.

The Holi celebration began with much fanfare amid song and dance performances. The widows who wear only white sarees smeared colours on each other to celebrate the festival, breaking away from years of social stigma attached to women who have lost their husbands.

A large amount of “gulal” of different colours was arranged by the organisers. Widows who mostly hail from West Bengal splashed colour powers and threw flower petals on each other. They danced and chanted Krishna bhajans and Holi songs. Widows also shared sweets with each other and enjoyed the food.

"Their participation in Holi symbolises a break from the tradition which forbids a widow from wearing coloured saree, among many other things," said Bindeshwar Pathak, mentor of Sulabh Movement in a statement.

This special celebration is set to add a new colour to the Holi festivities in 'Braj', popular among both Indian and foreign tourists.

While expressing joy, Gaurvani Dasi termed this celebration as “Holi of Hope “ for thousands of widows living in Vrindavan and Varanasi. Chabi Maa and Vimla Dasi expressed great pleasure in celebrating Holi with other mothers. The US-based Celebrity Master Chef Vikas Khanna also supported the Holi celebration.