#Braj ki holi

[ramayantika]

Braj ki Holi (Ch-4)

Masterlist /Ch-3/

"O rang barse bheege chunarvali rang barse"

I heard a sweet voice somewhere near me and soft fingers applying something powdery on my cheeks.

The same voice grew louder. I was half asleep but I could make out that the voice belonged to a girl. Bhumi wasn't that melodious so it could be either Radhika or Subhadra. But my eyes laden with sleep refused to open and see who was singing and the same melodious voice was simultaneously pushing me to drift into deep sleep again.

"Hori khele raghuveera avadh mein, hori khele raghuveera." I could sense a male voice that sounded a little similar to Ranvit.

SPLASH!

Whatever sleep that had made its home in my body had flown out, making my body wake up with a jerk.

Blinking the water droplets out of my eyes, I finally took a good look around me. Four people were standing in front of me with mischief written all over their faces. Ranvit was holding a water bucket, Bhumi had a packet of purple gulaal in her hand with Radhika standing right beside Bhumi, her fingertips coated with purple gulaal.

You can totally guess who the fourth person was.

No it wasn't Krishna. Dau stood a little far away from the trio with a cheeky smile and said, "Here in Vrindavan, nobody sleeps in on Holi and those who do we douse them in water. Aapki neend bhang karne kshama devi parantu reet ko kon taal sake?"

Bhumi snatched my bedsheet, saying, "Exactly! And you my dearest sister love Holi so much yet here you are sleeping. It's already 9am, Bhaishmi!"

I gasped. No way it could be 9am. I remember waking up at 7 in the morning for Holi ans waiting impatiently till 9 to go out and play this wonderful festival. Why was I in bed at this hour?

Krishna. I scanned the room to see my favourite curly haired boy, but much to my disappointment he wasn't there in the room. Perhaps, my eyes gave away that I was looking for him because Bhumi began teasing. "Looks like someone is searching for someone. I wonder who they might be."

Radhika's eyes gleamed and she too joined Bhumi. "Well well in that case, we need to call that someone to her quickly. Our sakhi must not wait too long, right?"

My cheeks burned with embarrassment and I covered my face with the bedsheet that had pooled near my feet. "You all will never let me have a moment of peace. I am not searching for Krishna."

The room fell quiet and in ten seconds Radhika burst out laughing. "See."

Before I could come up with a suitable excuse to convince them that I was not thinking about him, I heard Arjun shouting downstairs with Subhadra running past our room only to stop for a second and say, "Everyone run, Kanha bhaiya is out to attack. Run."

Dau took a look outside the door and said, "Oh shit, Kanha is ready with his gulaal. Everyone run. He then turned towards me. " Well these people forgot to tell you. Kanha has decided to play Holi via hide and seek and believe me it is almost impossible to win from him in this game. So get out of bed fast and hide. He will be coming up soon."

Leaping out of the room, I grabbed Bhumi's hand and ran up to the terrace. I paid one fleeting glance at the courtyard below and saw Arjun being coloured by Krishna in pink gulaal with him announcing, "One down."

By this point, my reader, you must know that this boy must have looked up. He never missed a chance looking at me then and has never missed a chance to look at me even now.

"You are awake Bhaishmi finally. Happy Holi and good luck trying to escape me!"

Bhumi cursed and dragged me faster to the staircase.

I had noted where the others had run off to hide while running. Ranvit had hidden himself in Yashodhara kaki's room while I saw Dau running to the store room. Subhadra was hiding behind a pillar facing the balcony which gave her the advantage to check where Krishna was going. Radhika hid herself in one of the old abandoned rooms.

Up on the terrace lay a small room built to rest during winters. Nanda kaka had told us about that room which kept him warm during winters. Both kaka and kaki were out in the neighbourhood to play Holi so we were free to hide anywhere.

Bhumi opened the door and tiptoed inside while passing me a grin. "I am sure Krishna won't come here." Indeed that was a clever place to hide but I was sure that Krishna would totally guess to enter the room first and then roam around the terrace.

I heard Subhadra's shriek and realised that she had been caught and felt Bhumi tug my wrist. "Come on, you don't want to be caught so early. Stay here, he won't come inside."

I locked the door from inside and parted the curtains from the windows and found Radhika running on the terrace. For a moment, my heart thudded, thinking that Krishna was coming up but seeing Radhika slow down, I felt relieved that he wasn't coming anywhere near us.

Radhika went to the far end of the terrace and stood there quietly with an alert look. I looked at Bhumi and stepped out of the room earning a warning from her. "Behen, you step out of this room, he will catch you soon. Stay inside."

"Meri pyari behena, if you think Krishna won't check this room first then you are seriously underestimating him."

"Then what to do?"

A plan formed inside my head but I wasn't sure if that would work successfully. "So I am going to lock you from outside and Krishna might not just step in because nobody hiding in the room would be able to lock themselves from outside. You can now sit praying that he doesn't use more of his clever brain."

Bhumi squealed and kept her arm around my shoulder. "I see you are getting cleverer. What's the secret?"

"Roz din mein 4 badam."

I locked the door from outside and stood behind the door of the terrace. Radhika saw me and made a sign asking me if Krishna was near or not. I walked outside a little and peered from the holes. He had caught Arjun, Subhadra and Ranvit who were all standing on the courtyard, their faces coloured in shades of blue, pink and purple.

I quickly ran back to the terrace and walked near Radhika. "Look, he has caught Arjun, Subhadra and Ranvit and I have a feeling that he will come to the terrace now because he gas already found three people near the rooms." Dau was probably in the store room that was in the ground floor situated right beside the entrance of the house.

Radhika thought for a while and said, "You do a thing. Stay here with Bhumi and let me go down. If it's safe I will call you." She paused and added, "To be honest, this feels as if we are playing chorr police plus hide and seek plus holi."

A crash sounded near the stairs and both of us ran helter skelter. I could see Bhumi watching something on her phone while occasionally looking outside the window for Krishna. Radhika and I had run off to hide behind a large storage drum.

I heard Radhika exclaim, "No, not Dau here. Everyone is here only and it won't take less than ten seconds for Krishna to catch us all." She turned towards me and said, "I will go and tell Dau to go somewhere. You stay here. I don't want Krishna to catch you right now." She winked and dashed near the staircase.

I closed my eyes and wiped the beads of sweat that had gathered on my forehead. My ponytail was coming loose and began to stick to my neck, hence I tied it into a bun. A soft gust of wind blew by my face which made me sigh. The environment went still for a moment after which I heard a door open loudly.

Bhumi ran out of the room with Krishna who dumped a whole packet of purple gulaal on her. My sister laughed and took some of the gulaal from him and applied a tilak on his forehead and said, "Chalo koyi na. Happy Holi!"

I placed my palm over my mouth to prevent any sound escaping from me. Within a count of ten he even managed to find Radhika and Dau which meant that I was the last catch for him.

I am someone who takes stress during exams and here I was low key panicking over the prospect of being caught by Krishna.

Now that wouldn't be a bad thing, my readers, would it?

I made a dash near the small room and hid behind the wall and saw Dau, Radhika and Bhumi leave the terrace. As expected, Krishna had come near the storage drum. He thought that I would be there but his face fell when he found out no one was standing behind it. Soon, he turned out and I walked near the front of the door. The back window of the room let me see Krishna's position.

Krishna was about to walk to the front and I had mere seconds to cross the house and run down the stairs. I counted till three and ran near the terrace staircase when my wrist felt a firm yet gentle grip.

Shit!

"I was thinking that you would be the first one I would catch but you have surprised me yet again, Bhaishmi," Krishna's honeyed voice rang in my ears as he walked two steps towards me. I did not dare to turn around because his hand around my wrist was making me think very wrong things combined with my Bollywood heroine fantasy of being coloured head to toe in colours on Holi.

Come on, what were you expecting me to be? Did I surprise you, reader?

Krishna turned me around and walked me near to the wall. "Well, I am not going to dump a whole packet of gulaal on you like I did to others and I will surely not wrestle with you like Dau, so if you don't mind…." He smiled and arched his perfect eyebrow up and said, "Do I get to colour you?"

God, I wanted to kiss him badly but it would be improper. I was anyway blushing when he asked me so I nodded my head and smiled. "Why on earth would I refuse a handsome guy asking to colour me on Holi?"

Krishna's lips curled up even more beautifully hearing my praise. I had noticed that he hadn't let go of my hand nor was I that keen to free my hand.

Krishna swiped some of the dry colour with his fingers and placed the gulaal over my free hand. "Which song would you sing right now on the spot?"

"You don't have red gulaal with you now but nevertheless it would be," I brushed a stray curl that perfectly lay just above his eyes and sang, "Dekhun dekhun tujhko main hoke nihaal chhu lo kora mora kaanch sa tan," I held his fingertips near my cheek while he slowly rubbed the colour off his fingers on me, "Nain bhar kya rahe nihaar."

He brushed his fingers on my left cheek and directed his glance to the gulaal packet over my hand. "Mohe rang do laal?"

Giggling, I said, "More like mohe rang do nila? But yes, I will definitely rang you nila. My hands were shaking as I dipped my fingers into the blue gulaal and my fingers welcomed the warm sensation of Krishna's cheeks and we both stared into each other's eyes.

Krishna boldly took another step towards me and despite my heart thudding in half anticipation and slight nervousness, I welcomed him in. He took some more of the blue colour and applied them to my forehead while his lips neared my ear causing my breath to hitch, "You didn't ask me which song I would sing for you right now?"

"Then sing for me now."

"Naino ki dhaank le jaa, naino ki naiya," His finger traced a curve near my eyes. "Patwaar tu hai meri tu hi khewaiyaa." He then swiped his thumb hesitantly just below my lips and I shivered slightly under the warm sun that had enveloped both of us.

"Jaana hai paar tere tu hu bhanwar hai," We sang together while applying the gulaal to each other, our eyes never letting the other go away as we completed the last line.

"Pahunchegi paar kaise nazuk si naiya…. "

And silence... Not a stifling one where you are left wondering what to do or what to speak. Just some peaceful silence which embraces you comfortably in its grasp where you need no words nor any actions, where eyes are enough to do all the talking. I lazily moved my fingers through his soft curls coating the hair strands in blue. The sun's glare over his head caused his hair to glaze and the blue colour did a fantastic job of making his hair look even more good.

He entwined his fingers with mine, but took not a step further towards me. He stayed right in the middle, neither too close nor too far. His nimble fingers did a quick work over my hair bun, letting it fall down to its length.

"You look even more ethereal in open hair, do you know?" I heard him say.

If there was anyone who looked ethereal to me, it was none other than Krishna. He appeared as if Gods themselves sculpted him as their finest creation.

"Krishna, you do know this right that you don't need to flatter me to impress me?"

Pushing some of my hair behind my ear, he said, "I would never use flattery to impress you. My flute would be enough for that but what I said right now is the truth. You will never see yourself the way I see you, but to me you looked ethereal right from the moment I saw you on the train. Your eyes were darting around here and there when you came and met us after Ranvit and Bhumi and I found it really adorable. Then you channeled your inner Madhubala out and trust me I was floored by you. Your effect on me was so strong that when I played the flute for you that night, I saw you in my thoughts looking all radiant and bright like a star on a clear night. Your gentleness, your cute shy smile and your thoughts make me seek you out everywhere. It's more than a tiny crush and admiration for you Bhaishmi, and all of this is true." The intensity that swirled in his eyes as he uttered these sentences made me forget about breathing.

"I know we have met only a few days ago but I can't help it. It saddens me that all of this will end when we leave for home but I want you to know that whatever moments we have shared together and the moments which we still have to make in the next twenty four hours before you leave for your city, it will always have a special place in my heart." He smiled and rubbed his forehead. "This might sound cheesy but I am still going to say it. You own a special place in my heart and if our circumstances would have been different, I would have asked you out to be my girlfriend."

That 'would have' shattered a small part of my heart. But as rightfully said by some people, life is about adding the little moments of joy and colour, I at least had the chance to be with him for these many hours.

My throat burned slightly making me realize that I was about to cry, I gulped back my tears and tried to smile.

"And I would have said yes to you."

"These two are still up there?" I heard Dau's voice near the staircase and both of us moved apart.

*****

Later in the day we all went out and celebrated Holi with the locals. All of us took various photos with Bhumi and Subhadra being our chief photographers. I had consumed a lot of sweets and snacks thanks to Yashodhara kaki.

And then in the evening we sang songs and danced with each other. Amidst all this Krishna and I pretended that our conversation from the morning did not at all happen. Only after dinner when kaki asked us to check all our belongings the realization hit even more deeper that I was about to say bye to Krishna forever. I wanted time to slow down just for the both of us or maybe some miraculous episode of destiny's game to cancel my train.

Alas, this happens only in movies, not in real life. With a heavy heart, I went up to the terrace to stare at the moon. Everyone else had gone off to sleep. I had my share of talking to Radhika and Subhadra and I was sure that I would miss their presence back home. Both of them dozed off midway while narrating some childhood memory which made me smile.

Surprise, surprise! Krishna was up on the terrace too, but this time with his flute. His back was against the parapet and he bent his neck slightly back to state at the moon, his arms propped on the parapet.

The peacock chain that dangled from his flute was shining under the moonlight. With the gentle night breeze that blew, the metallic peacock hit the flute, making Krishna shift his focus away from the sun and turning his glance towards me.

Without exchanging any word I walked and stood near him while he placed the flute below his beautiful lips which welcomed a small smile. I nodded and he closed his eyes. With a soft exhale, he started the first string of notes on his flute. His fingers deftly moved on the instrument producing an ocean of tunes that reflected both of our emotions for each other.

When he played his flute for the first time on the train, I was all awake and entranced until the very end, but tonight, my eyes began to droop. The moon too had begun to change her colour from golden white to red, her size decreasing with each passing time and with each song, Krishna's flute played.

I looked at the disappearing moon and by the time she had disappeared, my eyes closed on their own in bliss. I could still hear a faint melody, but could no longer keep myself awake to appreciate his music a bit more. Some time later, I felt a hand on my head, gently patting my hair and that's when I welcomed sleep in the arms of a very special boy.

"Koi kash dil pe zara hath rakh de, mere dil ke tukdon ko ik sath rakh de. Magar yeh hai khwabon khayalon ki baatein, kabhi toot kar cheez koi judi hai… Lagi aaj sawan ki phir voh jhadi hai."

*****

*drum roll* This fic is alive...

Also special mention to: @jessbeinme15 because she made me sit and write this after I read all of her tags ten times or maybe more than that

Well tbh I don't know if this chapter is good or not because I haven't written this long in all these months *glares at neet* so a little feedback would be appreciated

And what do we think about the main couple???

We still have two more parts though. Chapter 5 and the Epilouge because samridhi loves to put a clear end on things.

Yeah so that's it. Hope you have a good day

Taglist: @ma-douce-souffrance @itsfookingloosah @manwalaage @lil-stark @riiddhhiii @pokemon-master-elita @phoenix666stuff Tamatar deactivated?? :(

[stackumbrella1]

रंगभरनी एकादशी के अवसर पर लाखो श्रद्धालु पहुंचे बांके बिहारी के दर्शन करने, किया Braj Ki Holi का शुभारंभ

Braj Ki Holi: होली का त्यौहार कहने को तो 8 मार्च को है लेकिन ब्रजवासियो के लिए होली का त्यौहार एक दिन का नही है। जी हाँ, Braj Ki Holi का शुभारंभ हो चुका है। रंग भरनी के इस पावन अवसर पर पूरे देश से करीब 5 लाख लोग दार्शन के लिए पहुंचे वृंदावन।

श्रद्धालुओ को देख 8:45 पे ही खोल दिए गए पट

पुलिस और सुरक्षाकर्मियों द्वारा भीड़ को सम्भाल पाना बहुत मुश्किल हो गया। बताया जा रहा हैं कि 5 लाख से अधिक लोगों की भीड़ Braj Ki Holi खेलने सुबह और शाम दोनों समय दिखाई दी।

Also Read: Holi 2023: होली पर किस देवता को लगाएं कौन सा रंग, इन फूलों से प्रसन्न होंगे भगवान। एक गलती से देवता हो सकते हैं नाराज…

[alkofholidays]

Mathura, located in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, is considered to be the best place to celebrate the colorful and lively festival of Holi. This is because Mathura is considered to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna, one of the most revered Hindu deities and the central figure in the Holi festival.

The Holi festival, also known as the "festival of colors," is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Phalguna (usually in March). It is a celebration of the victory of good over evil, and the arrival of spring. On this day, people take to the streets and splash each other with brightly colored powders and water, creating a vibrant and joyful atmosphere.

Read more Braj Holi Festival Celebrations

[letsghoom]

Braj ki Holi in Barsana and Banke bihari ji 2024 4K

Braj ki Holi in Barsana and Banke bihari ji 2024 4K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ_UpkIILGQ Experience the vibrant and colorful Braj ki Holi in Barsana and Banke Bihari ji in 2024 like never before! This 4K video captures the joy and energy of this traditional festival, with lathmar holi in Barsana and Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan. Watch and feel the spirit of Holi in India! via indian traveling https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrgBbyX3To6D9yWzNmCvh-Q March 25, 2024 at 09:29AM

[genieife]

Immerse Yourself in the Vibrant Holi Celebrations of Mathura: Exploring the Festival of Colors in the Land of Lord Krishna

rishna

Experience the vibrant Holi celebration in Mathura and Vrindavan, the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Join the festivities as locals and visitors alike immerse themselves in the colorful traditions of Braj ki Holi. From the iconic Lathmar Holi in Barsana and Nandgaon to the Phoolon wali Holi near the Govardhan Hill, each celebration offers a unique experience. Witness the touching Widow’s Holi in Vrindavan, where widows celebrate their freedom to participate in the joyous occasion. Don’t miss the lively atmosphere at Banke Bihari Temple and Dwarkadhish Temple, where priests shower devotees with colorful gulaal and flowers. Explore the Harunga festivities at Dauji Temple, a captivating ritual that adds to the charm of your Holi experience in Mathura. Join us for an unforgettable celebration of love, color, and tradition in the heart of Braj.

Govardhan

Located in the Mathura district, Govardhan is a sacred Hindu site atop Giriraj hill. Legend has it that Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan mountain on his finger for seven days to protect Braj from torrential rain caused by Devraj Indra’s curse. Another tale describes how the hill descended from heaven to join Krishna’s divine Leela. Completing a parikrama (circumambulation) around the hill is believed to fulfill wishes.

Devotees gather at Govardhan during Krishna Janmashtami and other festivals. A towering statue of Lord Krishna dominates the skyline, symbolizing its significance. Explore attractions like the Har Devaji temple showcasing Krishna’s life, Mansi Ganga water tank, Kusum Sarovar, and Radha Kund, associated with Krishna’s divine play. Experience the spiritual essence and historical charm of Govardhan on your visit.

Dwarkadhish Temple

Erected in 1815 by Seth Gokuldas Parikh, the temple boasts remarkable architecture and stands as a global marvel. Positioned on the northern banks of the Yamuna River, near Vishram Ghat in Mathura, it entices visitors with its grandeur.

Inside, the vast hall is adorned with vibrant hues and intricate floral patterns on yellow pillars, leading to the elevated sanctum. Crafted from black marble, the idol of Lord Krishna and his consort Radharani in white marble exudes divine beauty. The temple’s courtyard, accessed through a splendid Rajasthani-style doorway, showcases exquisite carvings of deities.

Dwarkadhish Temple draws large crowds during Holi and Krishna Janmashtami, with additional festivals enriching its cultural tapestry. The “Hindola” festival in Shravan (July-August) sees the temple adorned with flowers and lights, creating a picturesque spectacle. Similarly, the “Jhoola” festival marks the onset of the monsoon season, with Lord Dwarkadhish seated on a resplendent swing of gold and silver for devotees to offer their reverence.

Barsana

Legend has it that Barsana was the cherished abode of Radharani, the beloved consort of Lord Krishna. Among the numerous temples here, the Radharani Temple stands out, also known as Ladliji or Shriji, believed to have been founded some 5,000 years ago by Vajranabha.

Maan Mandir is another notable site, where Radha would retreat when upset with Lord Krishna, who would earnestly plead for her forgiveness. Mor Kutir, where the divine duo danced as peacocks, and Krishna Kund, their bathing spot, offer glimpses into their celestial love. Sankari Khor, a narrow passage between hills, recalls playful encounters between Krishna and Radha.

Other temples like Jaipur Temple, Peeli Pokhar, and Dangarh, along with attractions like Bhanokhar Tank, Prem Sarovar, and Roop Sarovar, enrich the spiritual tapestry of Barsana. The town is famed for Lathmar Holi and Radharani’s birth anniversary, marked by devotees offering sweets to peacocks at dawn, symbolizing homage to Lord Krishna.

Baldeo

Nestled on the outskirts of Mathura, the quaint town of Baldeo holds a special place in Hindu mythology. According to local lore, it was governed by Lord Krishna’s elder brother, Lord Balaram, affectionately known as Dau ji maharaj. The Baldeo Temple, a revered site, beckons devotees to pay homage to Lord Balaram and Revati, with idols sculpted from stone, believed to date back to around 1580 AD. The town’s vibrant spirit shines during Holi, celebrated fervently as Dauji ka Huranga, drawing devotees from across the nation to revel in the joyous festivities. Each December, the temple commemorates its founding with fervent celebrations during Margshish Poornima, echoing the enduring legacy of Lord Balaram in the hearts of the faithful.

Gokul

Located just 10 km from Mathura, Gokul is steeped in mythology and holds a special place in the hearts of Lord Krishna’s devotees. Legend has it that it was here, on the tranquil banks of the Yamuna River, that the young Krishna was raised in secrecy by his foster mother, Yashoda. Today, the village bustles with activity during Krishna Janmashtami and Nandotsav, drawing crowds to its temples and ghats.

Gokul is adorned with two sacred reservoirs, Radha Kund and Shyam Kund, each steeped in divine mythology. According to legend, Shyam Kund was created by Lord Krishna himself after he defeated the bull demon Aristasura, while Radha Kund was formed by Radharani and her friends. The town also hosts the annual Ahoi Ashtami Fair, attracting pilgrims from far and wide.

Among its many attractions are the temples of Dauji, Raja Thakur, Yogmaya, and Gopal Lalji, each resonating with spiritual significance. Thakurani Ghat, where Sant Vallabhacharyaji once prayed, and Nanda Bhavan, believed to be Krishna’s childhood home, are also must-visit sites. Additionally, the Rangbihariji Temple, established by revered saint Swami Gyandasji, holds a special place in the hearts of devotees. With its rich history and spiritual ambiance, Gokul offers a truly enchanting experience for pilgrims and visitors alike.

Discover the vibrant hues of Brij Ki Holi celebration in Mathura with Geniefie Trip Planner! Explore the diverse celebrations across the region, from the playful Lathmar Holi in Barsana and Nandgaon to the colorful Phoolon wali Holi at Gulaal Kund near Govardhan Hill. Witness the joyous festivities of Widow’s Holi in Vrindavan, where widows clad in white sarees embrace the spirit of the festival. Experience the lively chants and prayers at Banke Bihari Temple and Dwarkadhish Temple, where priests shower devotees with vibrant colors and flowers. With Geniefie, immerse yourself in the cultural richness of Brij Ki Holi, creating unforgettable memories of this cherished tradition in Mathura.

[mathuravrindavantours]

Book Your Mathura Vrindavan Tour for Holi Celebration

Get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant colors and joyous celebrations of Braj ki Holi this year by booking our Mathura Vrindavan Tour Package. Experience the essence of this traditional festival in the land of Lord Krishna's childhood adventures. Our tour package offers a delightful journey through Mathura and Vrindavan, where you will witness lively processions, energetic music, and the playful throwing of colors.

Indulge in delicious local cuisine and explore the famous temples steeped in mythology and history. Don't miss this opportunity to create memories amidst the festivities of Braj ki Holi. Book your Mathura Cab Service now and let the colors of joy brighten your holiday season.

[kirtijolapara]

BRAJ KI HOLI

Barsana, Vrindavan, India📍

Source: shivangi.nagar (IG)

[prabhushriram]

How to remove Holi colors from your face?

Reading time- 4 mins 

Who doesn’t like to play Holi? Whether it is children or adults, everybody is enthusiastic about Holi. And why not? The festival of colors brings along with itself so much fun, frolic and sheer joy for everyone. The morning of Holi in India is unlike anywhere else in the world. Kids are the first ones to start; running around wild across the streets with their water balloons and water guns, splashing each other gleefully. The adults and seniors join in a few hours later with a riot of colors. No one goes out and returns without being drenched and smeared with colors. Holi indeed is a festival of sweet Gujiya, colorful Gulal, and unlimited masti for all.         

But for many of us, Holi also denotes a lot of stress and apprehension with regard to the adulterated colors ruining our skin, especially that of the face. It is a dreadful nightmare for most women to spend half the day playing Holi and the other half, scrubbing their faces with all types of soaps and ointments to remove tough color marks until their skin begins to hurt. 

Not to worry! Here are a few tips to make sure that you enjoy the festival of colors to your heart’s content without worrying about what the colors will do to your skin later: 

1)     Oiling- The first and most important step is to apply coconut oil or almond oil on your hair and all the exposed parts of your skin before you even many people may not like to apply of people may not like to apply either coconut or almond oil on their faces. In that case, you can even use a good amount of moisturizer on your face, hands, and other parts of the body (except your hair) to achieve the same result. The oil or the moisturizer forms a protective layer over your skin and blocks stubborn colors from coming in direct contact with it. After the festival is over, you can easily remove the colors by washing them off with a mild cleanser. Tscrubbing or rubbing easily without the need to scrub or rub your skin. 

2)    Cold water rinse- Always use cold water to rinse your skin after playing Holi. Do not use hot or warm water to remove the color from your skin as this will further harden the stain to remove. 

3)    Face pack- In the case of harder stains of color on your face, you can also prepare a face pack with honey and papaya as ingredients. You can apply this pack on your face after mixing it with Multani mitti (fuller’s earth) and leave it for a couple of minutes before washing it off. This will help to make the color patches lighter and fade away faster. 

4)    Home remedies- Another alternative to removing tough color patches from your skin is a besan pack mixed with curd, turmeric, olive oil, and lemon juice. This special face pack will also make your skin radiant and soft besides removing the color patches. 

5)    Moisturize- Sometimes a slight burning or irritating sensation could be felt after removing excessive color from your face and arms, especially in the case of soft and delicate skin types. After a bath, one can use a fair amount of body lotion or moisturizer to help moisturize and comfort your skin from this irritating sensation.Using Gulal which is 100% natural and skin-friendly is important to enjoy this festival safely with your loved ones. Prabhu Shriram- India’s Best Agarbatti and Dhoop brings to you their “Braj ki Holi” Gift Box.  India’s 1st Holi box to make you experience Braj Style Holi festivities in the comfort of your homes. Make your Holi celebrations more special and fragrant this year with the “Braj ki Holi Gift Box”.

Unique inclusions of the pack:

• Gulab Agarbatti • Kesar Agarbatti

• Kewra Agarbatti • Gulal • Dry Thandai ( Rose/ Kesar/ Kewra)

• Red & Yellow Chandan • Golden Agarbatti Stand

And with the above tips, you can make sure to celebrate a memorable and colorful Holi with your loved ones without the fear of spending the rest of the day scrubbing your face. 

Shop Now- www.prabhushriram.com

[ramayantika]

Braj Ki Holi (Ch-3 ig)

MASTERLIST

We snuck out of the house and walked to Yamuna ghat. It wasn’t too far from the house. It barely took us ten minutes to reach there. Late at night, with no soul in sight near the river, I was walking with Krishna in silence. We didn’t talk much on our way, but it didn’t feel awkward. It felt nice. The air permeated with flowery fragrance from the nearby temples present at every nook and corner in Vrindavan. Krishna had been away from Vrindavan for around five to six years, yet he was able to find his way.

The streets were empty. There were some dry colours and flowers strewn on the road from the morning celebration. A car would occasionally pass us, but other than that it was all quiet. Had I been alone, I would have felt a little creeped out by walking outside so late in the night. It was a wonder that I was trusting myself with Krishna. In today’s time, you can’t trust the people whom you know well, forget a stranger. I could hear my mother gasping if I ever told her about Krishna and about me walking with him at night with no adult to accompany us.

“There you go. This is the place I was talking about,” said Krishna, as he walked down the steps of the ghat. He sat down on of the dry stairs and patted the ground.

I looked around. We were away from the street into the dark river, which appeared darker as the night progressed. The ghat was lined up with a few diyas that were on the verge to extinguish. The tiny flames of the diyas sparkled in the dark waters of Yamuna. The starry night contributed to enhance the beauty of the river and the moon occasionally peeped out from the clouds.

“Is that all you are going to do over here? To sit and look at the stars?” asked, Krishna with a light chuckle. “I thought I had charmed you, but it looks like the stars are competing against me.”

“Rolling my eyes, I turned my head towards him. “Come on, Krishna, we both know you are lovelier than the stars. Besides, my stars will feel sad, if I don’t glance at them before I spend the entire night gazing at you lovely face.”

He smiled and picked a pebble and threw it with a flick of his wrist. The pebble drowned in the water with a splash and he looked at me, his head tilted towards the left, saying, “I would say, you are lovelier than me.”

Laughing, I threw a pebble into the water. “Now that’s a compliment, I would like to hear from you. Tell me, honestly, Krishna. How many people have you found ‘lovelier’ than you?”

Without waiting a second, he answered, “Radha and you.”

Radha. A lovely girl with a beautiful smile that lights you up and being around her feels like curling up in a warm blanket on a cold winter night. Maybe it was a best friend thing, perhaps? Just like Krishna, she took an immediate liking to me and I to her.

“Tell me more about Radha and you. What were you like when you were a child here? How was your bond?” I asked.

“Okay, I will, but first, you need to allow me to put my arm around you,” said, Krishna.

“You have my permission.”

He gently moved his arm around my shoulder and sighed. He threw his head back up and looked at the sky, and then focused his eyes on me. I couldn’t help myself but break into a goofy grin and began laughing.

“What now?” said, Krishna, laughing with me.

“Just answer my question now.”

He moved his index finger in circles over my arm and began. “Radha and I were inseparable. She was born a week earlier than me and she always took advantage of that by making me listen to her when we were were little kids. But then I grew up to be the most mischievous kid and troubled Radha a lot. Even though I created a lot of mischief and pranks on Radha as well as on my other friends, I loved them all dearly. Yashoda kaki whom I as a child often called her as my own mother was so gullible to my mischief. She would always defend me and pamper me as if I were her real son. Kaka and Kaki joke that I never miss them but it’s not true. The day I had to leave Vrindavan and them, I had cried bitterly even though I was smiling and teasing all of them that I would come back and play again.”

Krishna paused and stared at the river for a while. I remained silent and looked at him. His eyes were not looking too bright like he usually did, and a small nostalgic smile graced his lips. I placed my hand over his shoulder and whispered, “Krishna…”

He blinked and moves his fingers through his hair, saying, “Oh God, I wasn’t supposed to be all sentimental now. But anyway, my childhood was the best and the most beautiful one. I wish every child should have a childhood like mine filled with laughter, fun, and love.”

“Now, let me ask a question,” said, Krishna. “What’s your favourite childhood memory?”

“Now that’s a difficult question, for I have many of them. I think it should be the day I attended my first day of dance class. I was no prodigy that I was able to dace flawlessly, but the first day I entered the premises, it felt like a magical world to me. I guess, as children we find magic everywhere even in the smallest and mundane things and growing up we lose that magical vision. The large Nataraja murti appeared as if Shiva himself was calling to me and the senior dancers wearing colourful sarees looked like those apsaras with flowers in their hair. I still remember that day when I was returning home, I couldn’t sleep that night and was eagerly waiting for my next class.”

“I think the world could be better if we kept a bit of magical vision with us. Growing up, we find wonderment and magic to be silly or childish and become such boring individuals,” said, Krishna who was now tapping his fingertips on my arm.

We grew quiet after that and stared at the river. I could hear the gentle lapping of the water and Krishna’s breathing. The night grew deeper and the lone cars which often passed sometimes stopped coming. At home, I would have felt sleepy by now and would have dozed off. Surprisingly, I had enough energy in me to keep talking and listening to him.

“Do you remember what I told you in the morning?” Krishna suddenly asked.

“There were many things you told me, Krishna.”

“I told you in the car after singing. Don’t tell me you forgot already.”

My nervous laugh gave me away…

“Our singing session, Bhaishmi! You forgot that. How could you?” Krishna whined, which made me laugh even more.

“Okay, you beautiful dramatic boy, I remember now. What song should we sing?”

He had the audacity to smirk and demand me. “Sing a song which will remind me of you when we go our separate ways after Holi. And yes, it should also remind you how pretty I am.”

I facepalmed and muttered to myself and giggled. “Okay fine. I have two songs for that. Let me sing for the first case where we go our separate ways.” 'Separate ways' left a bitter taste on my mouth.

‘Mere dil ki raahaton ka tu zariya ban gayi hai

Teri ishq ki mere dil mein kayi Eid mann gayi hai.

Tera zikr ho raha hai tera zikr ho raha hai

Ibadat ki tarah.

Tujhe yaad kar liya hai O tujhe yaad kar liya hai aayat ki tarah…’

I successfully made Krishna blush! Surely, his blush wasn’t visible, but he looked down bashfully and smiled, causing me to chuckle.

He cleared his throat and with a twinkle in his eye, said, “And what’s the next song?

I scratched my nose and began singing the next song, praying to the Gods above to not let my voice falter.

'Kadmon ko sambhalein, nazron ka kya karein.' My finger lifted his curls away from his eyes and I looked into his eyes while singing the next line. 'Dil ko sambhale zubaan ishq hua hi hua.'

We didn't know when our hands interconnected with each other. He clasped my hand and locked his fingers with mine, his thumb gently brushed against my skin as I continued with my song.

'Aise chale jab hawa... ishq hua hi hua.'

Krishna leaned in to my eye level, and I saw the moon in his eyes with the little flames of the diya dancing across his face occasionally.

"Toh ishq ho gaya?" He asked, a teasing smile on his lips, but his eyes carried a different expression, as if he was asking it earnestly and not for fun.

I gently pushed him away with a shy smile. "Dhaat iss time bhi flirt karna hai?"

To the ones who love the boys written in romance novels over which we fawn over, you would love Krishna now a lot more.

He grabbed my wrist gently, stopping me from moving away from him and sang in the softest voice possible. 'Dil kahe ke aaj toh chupalo tum panaho mein ke darr hai tumko khodunga.'

And another moment straight out of my bollywood dreams came up when he pulled me towards him. We were far too close to each other. His face was mere inches away from me and if I would step in towards him, our lips could easily meet each other. This definitely wasn't something I had signed up for before planning for my Holi trip.

My hand went to his chest and I felt his heart beating rapidly. Boy, he was nervous too just like me, but unlike me, his nervousness never showed up on his face.

'Dil kahe sambhal zara khushi ko na nazar laga ke darr hai main toh ro dunga,' his finger traced my chin and I swear to God, I felt I was going to melt into a puddle under his touch. One moment we were talking and now we were on the verge off.... I can't say it out loud or more like I can't write it here.

I knew what the other lines were in the song. Krishna had paused and looked at me expectantly, so I continued with the song. 'Ho karti hu sau vaade tumse baandhe dil ke dhaage tumse ye tumhe na jane kya hua.'

He leaned in towards my ear, whispering, "Ab toh pakka ishq ho gaya hoga."

Groaning, I moved myself away and he too left my hand laughing while teasing me, "Arey sharmao nahi batao zara."

I climbed up the stairs of the Yamuna ghat when I heard him say, "Krishna agar woh tumse pyar karti hai toh woh ek baar palat ke dekhegi."

Obviously I didn't turn back and focused on the stairs. "Now I am no Simran and you are no Raj." My words had no effect on him because he started saying, "Palat." As if I was going to palat.

"Palat."

"Ghanta palat."

"Palat."

The Gods above in the heaven probably loved Krishna a lot because I did exactly what Simran did and Krishna began dancing on the Ghat making me worry about him falling into the river.

I had turned around to tell him not to become Raj at 2am only to realize that I was Simran in the scene.

He jogged towards me and swept his arm across my shoulder. "Toh jaaneman ab pyaar ho gaya?"

I huffed and replied, "Pyaar ka nahi pata lekin thappad khane ka kisika chance zarur ho sakta hai."

We erupted into a joyful laughter within the next second. His arm never left my shoulder nor did I leave his side as we walked back home in the dead of the night.

***

Hi! Surely BKH is alive. I wrote it on my phone that too in my car toh thodi quality niche ho sakti hai but do tell me if you liked this part or not.

Ab next vali Holi vala chapter! 🥳

Taglist: @lil-stark @manwalaage @itsfookingloosah @ma-douce-souffrance @svapnakalpa-mareechi @reallythoughtfulwizard @saanjh-sakhi @riiddhhiii @phoenix666stuff

[vilaspatelvlogs]

Holi 2021: यहां खेली जाती है अनोखी होली, रंग के साथ चलते हैं महिलाओं के लठ

Holi 2021: यहां खेली जाती है अनोखी होली, रंग के साथ चलते हैं महिलाओं के लठ

कन्हैया कुमार/मथुरा: होली का त्योहार नजदीक है. लोग रंगों के इस उत्सव में सराबोर होने की तैयारियां कर रहे हैं. होली को मनाने के कई तरीके हैं. कोई गुलाल उड़ाता है तो कहीं चलती है रंगों की पिचकारी. इसके अलावा भी होली मनाने है का एक अनूठा ढंग है जिसका नाम है लठामार होली. आइए जानते ब्रज में खेली जाने वाली इस होली के बारे में जिसे देखने देशभर से लोग पहुंचते हैं. लठामार होली?ब्रज में बरसाना, नन्दगांव …

[stackumbrella1]

महाकाल नगरी Ujjain में खेली गई फूलों की Holi, हुए भोले बाबा के निराकार रूप के दर्शन

2 दिन बाद Holi का त्यौहार हैं और चारों तरफ Holi का उत्साह देखने को मिल रहा हैं। हमेशा से ही वृंदावन और मथुरा जैसे स्थानों की Holi को खास माना जाता हैं। जहाँ ठाकुर जी के प्रति लोगों का प्रेम और श्रद्धा देखने को मिलती है।

लेकिन यदि बात करे महाकाल नगरी उज्जैन की तो वहां भी भोले बाबा के साथ होली खेलने के लिए लोगों में जमकर उत्साह देखने को मिला।

जी हाँ, सोमवार यानी आज महाकाल नगरी उज्जैन में भक्तों द्वारा जमकर फ़ूलों की गोली खेली गई। बीते कुछ समय से यहां होली खेलना प्रारंभ किया गया हैं।

महाकाल नगरी में हुई Holi के उत्सव की शुरुआत

उज्जैन में रविवार से ही होली का उत्सव मनाना शुरू हो गया हैं। सभी भक्त बाबा बोले नाथ के साथ होली का उत्सव मना रहे हैं। रविवार को उज्जैन में महिला भक्तों द्वारा महाकाल के साथ होली खेली गई।

फिर सोमवार यानी आज भस्म आरती के बाद 40 क्विटल के अलग अलग फ़ूलों के साथ महाकाल ने होली के उत्सव की शुरूआत की और फाग उत्सव मनाया। इस दौरान नंदी हॉल में भी भक्तों ने जमकर एक दूसरे के साथ फ़ूलों की गोली खेली।

Also Read: रंगभरनी एकादशी के अवसर पर लाखो श्रद्धालु पहुंचे बांके बिहारी के दर्शन करने, किया Braj Ki Holi होली का शुभारंभ

कल खेली जाएगी हर्बल गुलाल से Holi

कल होलिका दहन हैं और कल उज्जैन में सभी भक्त हर्बल रंगों से महाकाल के साथ होली खेलते नजर आने वाले हैं। फूलो की अद्भुत होली के बाद अब हर्बल रंगों की गोली देखने को मिलेगी।

आज भस्म आरती के बाद करीब 40 क्विंटल फ़ूलों से होली खेली गई थी। जिसके बाद महाकाल का निराकार रूप देखने को मिला था।

Also Read: 5 Stirring Tips For Your Holi Bash This Year

[zabeehafaque]

Braj ki Holi- Part 1 . #vrindavan #holi #mathura #storiesofindia #festivalsofindia #india #festivalofcolor #culture #holi2019 #holifestival (at Vrindavan - वृन्दावन, UP, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvQfOT1HdLc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=tb68isgq1fe2

[malkdtech]

Holi 2021: What is Braj ki Holi and how is it celebrated?

Holi 2021: What is Braj ki Holi and how is it celebrated?

NEW DELHI: The festival of colours, Holi is arriving soon and people are gearing up to celebrate the joyous festival with their friends and family. While Holi is celebrated in every part of the country, one of the most unique celebrations occurs in the holy land of Radha-Krishna, Braj located in the centre of Vrindavan-Mathura. Since it is celebrated in the village of Braj Bhumi, the festival is…

[letsghoom]

Braj ki holi 2024 in Radha rani Barsana

Braj ki holi 2024 in Radha rani Barsana https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4163xZ5Kd4 Holi 2024 in Radha rani temple , Barsana holi in Braj 2024 #shortsfeed #youtubeshorts #barsana #barsanamathura #radharani #barsanatemple #shorts #holi2024 via indian traveling https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrgBbyX3To6D9yWzNmCvh-Q March 25, 2024 at 08:35AM

[dharmyaatra]

आपको चाहे होली का त्यौहार पसंद हो या नही, या फिर रंगों से डर लगता हो या नही लेकिन जीवन में एक बार ब्रज की होली को देखने अवश्य जाए। वहां की होली को देखकर जो आनंद की अनुभूति होगी वह शायद ही आपको किसी और चीज़ में हो। आज हम आपको ब्रज की होली के बारे में संपूर्ण जानकारी देंगे।