A large number of devotees participated in the Holi Utsav at the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, Mathura district, ahead of the Holi festival next week.
Devotees were seen playing Holi with gulal inside the temple premises, while priests showered coloured powder on visitors as part of the traditional celebrations. Worshippers also offered prayers to Lord Krishna during their visit.
Earlier in the day, Naga sadhus and other saints celebrated Rangbhari Ekadashi with devotion in Ayodhya, marking the ceremonial beginning of Holi festivities in the temple town. Saints gathered at the Hanumangarhi Temple, where they applied gulal to one another and carried the temple’s holy flag (nishan) during rituals.
Speaking to ANI, Mahant Sanjay Das Ji Maharaj, National President of Sankat Mochan Sena (Hanumangarhi Temple), said that as per tradition, saints undertook the Panchkoshi Parikrama carrying the symbol of Lord Hanuman on their shoulders.
“On the occasion of Rangbhari Ekadashi, saints visit temples and apply gulal. Like every year, we are taking out the Panchkoshi Parikrama while carrying the symbol of Lord Hanuman on our shoulders,” he said.
Rangbhari Ekadashi holds special religious importance in Ayodhya and formally marks the start of Holi celebrations, with saints and devotees participating in rituals and processions across the city.
In Mathura, widely regarded as the birthplace of Lord Krishna, Holi festivities are set to culminate in grand processions, cultural programmes and temple rituals leading up to the main festival.
In view of the large turnout, authorities have deployed additional security personnel. The local administration is closely monitoring crowd management and traffic arrangements to ensure smooth and safe celebrations. (ANI)
