Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

In PHOTOS: Vrindavan widows' 'Rang Barse' moment

March 18, 2014 10:30 IST
Widows daubed in colours as they take part in Holi celebrations organised by non-governmental organisation Sulabh International at a widows' ashram in Vrindavan

Shunning the shackles of social stigma, about 1,000 widows, played Holi with colours and gulal at Meera Sahabhagini Ashram in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. 

It was for the first time that the widows gathered in such a large number to play Holi with gulal and water colour at the 200-year-old ashram.

Click NEXT for more photos…

Vrindavan widows' 'Rang Barse' moment

March 18, 2014 10:30 IST
A widow throws coloured water during Holi celebrations at the ashram

They poured colour on each other in the presence of a large number of tourists and followers of Lord Krishna in the pilgrim town of Vrindavan.

Countering the age-old social evil of widowhood, several widows have taken shelter in this holy city.

Click NEXT for more photos…  

Vrindavan widows' 'Rang Barse' moment

March 18, 2014 10:30 IST
A widow plays 'dholak' during Holi celebrations at the ashram

It was a remarkable sight when the widows, mostly in the 70s and 80s, stooping low with age, danced and splashed more than 500 kg of gulal and gallons of water colours on each other.

Last year, these widows had played Holi with flower petals.

Click NEXT for more photos…

Vrindavan widows' 'Rang Barse' moment

March 18, 2014 10:30 IST
Widows dance as they take part in Holi celebrations at the ashram

The initiative was taken by Sulabh International, which is working for improving the condition of the widows and bringing them to the mainstream besides ensuring their social assimilation.

Click NEXT for more photos…

Vrindavan widows' 'Rang Barse' moment

March 18, 2014 10:30 IST
Widows spray coloured water on each other during Holi celebrations

The organisation looks after a thousand widows living in five ashrams in Vrindavan.

As part of Holi celebrations, Sulabh also organised traditional dance programme ‘Raas-Leela’ and other events for them at widow ashrams.

Click NEXT for more photos…

Vrindavan widows' 'Rang Barse' moment

March 18, 2014 10:30 IST

A widow throws coloured powder in air during Holi celebrations at the ashram in Vridanvan on Monday.

Click NEXT for more photos…

Vrindavan widows' 'Rang Barse' moment

March 18, 2014 10:30 IST

A widow daubed in colours dances during the bash celebrating Holi.

Click NEXT for more photos…

Vrindavan widows' 'Rang Barse' moment

March 18, 2014 10:30 IST

Widows smeared in colour sing during the Holi celebrations on Tuesday.

Click NEXT for more photo features...

TOP photo features you missed last week

March 18, 2014 10:30 IST

Click on MORE to see another PHOTO feature...

© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.